Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Psychology and Sociology

Understanding Human Motivation

By Pablo Murillo

Motivation is a process or series of processes that initiate, manage, maintain, and finally stop a sequence of goal-directed behavior. It is the process by which stimuli, objects, mental representations, and images, as variables involved in human behavior, acquire causative value. This causative value is exercised over all behavior because motivation has intimate connections with attention, memory, learning, and other cognitive processes.

Memorandum: Conditions that cause, maintain, and regulate behavior.

These motives are not observable variables but hypothetical constructs: we can infer them from observable behaviors.

Levels of Motivation

Primary or Biological Motivation

• It is about the survival of

Phenomenology: Husserl and Heidegger

What is Phenomenology?

• Phenomenology is what shows itself: the patent, manifest.
• It is also an access method to phenomena to seek their basis.
• According to Martin Heidegger, it is through the phenomenological method that the meaning of being is revealed.
• It is a purely descriptive method based on shared experiences. From the known world and intersubjective experiences (a method of participatory research), signals are obtained, providing guidelines for interpreting the diversity of symbols. From this, it is possible to interpret social processes and structures.
• It examines all contents of consciousness to determine if these contents are real, ideal, imaginary, etc.
• Phenomenological consciousness suspends judgment

Who Are Our Role Models?

True role models embody qualities we admire and inspire us to become better versions of ourselves. They encourage us to advocate for our beliefs and take leadership on important issues. We often don't recognize our true role models until we've experienced personal growth. For example, I believe I serve as a temporary role model for my younger sister, though she may not admit it yet. A role model is someone whose behavior, example, or success can be emulated by others, especially younger people.

It's fascinating to hear who people admire; it's not always who you'd expect. It's crucial for individuals to see themselves reflected in decision-makers.

The Psychological Impact of Role Models

Role models are psychologically... Continue reading "The Importance of Role Models" »

Understanding Emotions

Anger

Anger arises when we face frustration or aversion. It energizes us to take action, providing renewed vigor after a frustrating experience, enabling defense or achievement of goals.

Hostility

Hostility is a complex emotion blending anger, disgust, indignation, contempt, and resentment. It lacks a specific facial expression, but can lead to anger and violence.

Humor

Humor emerges after a non-serious error, producing laughter and positive feelings. A smile and laughter are its expressions. It relaxes us, mitigates negativity, and benefits mental and physical health.

Happiness

Happiness fosters positive reception and interpretation of environmental stimuli. More durable than fleeting pleasure, it seeks emotional stability.... Continue reading "Exploring Human Emotions: From Anger to Love" »

Types of Behavior

Aggressive Behavior

Individuals exhibiting aggressive behavior use violence, which can be verbal (e.g., yelling, insults), physical (e.g., threatening posture, personal attack), or psychological (e.g., contempt, indifference).

Passive/Inhibited Behavior

Passive or inhibited behavior involves prioritizing others' needs and interests over one's own. This can lead to avoiding confrontations and discussions to maintain status and affection within a group.

Assertive Behavior

Assertive behavior is rooted in respect for oneself and others. It involves expressing thoughts and feelings openly, upholding one's rights while respecting the rights of others.

Cognitive Functions

Cognitive functions are the processes through which individuals acquire,... Continue reading "Understanding Cognitive Functions and Behavior" »

Intelligence and Learning

Intelligence

Intelligence: A person's capacity to learn, understand, reason, and synthesize knowledge, enabling them to respond and adapt to circumstances.

Theories of Intelligence

One of the most widely accepted theories: Factors of Intelligence.

This theory posits that individual differences in cognitive abilities can be expressed in terms of several distinct, yet not completely independent, mental abilities. These factors include:

• Verbal Ability
• Numerical Ability
• Verbal Fluency
• Reasoning
• Perceptual Ability
• Spatial Ability

Sensory-Perceptual Process

Sensory Process: The process by which humans receive information from our environment through the senses (physiological stage).

Perceptual Process: The organization and interpretation... Continue reading "Human Intelligence, Perception, and Learning Methods" »

Emotions

Types of Affection

Emotion

• Strong, immediate, and short-lived emotional reactions.
• Clear organ involvement.
• Relatively standardized behavioral response.

Feeling

• Diffuse, softer, and durable affective reactions.
• Mild organic and behavioral reaction.

Dimensions of Emotions

• Tone: How the emotion is experienced (positive-negative, pleasant-unpleasant).
• Intensity: Degree of physiological arousal (blushing, trembling), personal experience (feeling a strong emotion), and later behavior (more or less strong reaction).
• Duration: Short or long-lasting.

Biological or Mental Issue?

• Zajonc: Emotions are biological processes, preceding or following cognition but distinctly different.
• Lazarus-Ellis-Beck: Emotion is post-cognitive. Interpretation of the situation

Personality Disorders and Their Characteristics

Paranoid Personality Disorder

Individuals with Paranoid Personality Disorder project their own internal conflicts and hostility onto others. They are typically cold and distant.

Schizoid Personality Disorder

Characteristics often include:

• Being introverted, detached, and solitary.
• Appearing cold and distant.
• Being absorbed in their own thoughts and feelings, often fearing intimacy.
• Feeling indifferent to both criticism and compliments.
• Exhibiting little sexual desire.
• Preferring theoretical speculation to action; not very talkative.
• Using fantasy as a common way of dealing with reality.

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Individuals with Schizotypal Personality Disorder, similar to those with Schizoid Personality... Continue reading "Understanding Cluster A, B, and C Personality Disorders" »

Observation as a Process

1. Concept of observation as a process:

It is a process whose primary role is to gather information about the subject under consideration. It is an intellectual process.

Assessing vs. Observing

2. Difference in assessing and observing:

Assessment is directed toward a decision, separating the evaluation of the trial. Observing aims to understand and articulate the behavior of all participants in a situation.

Observer Attitudes

3. Observer attitudes:

Factors include the observer's sex, personal characteristics, ethical character, and social background.

Categories of Factors

4. Categories of factors:

These include stable internal factors (ability, skill), unstable internal factors (effort, will), stable external factors (task difficulty)... Continue reading "Observation Techniques: Process, Types, and Functions" »