Sleep, Motivation and Emotion Essay

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I WHICH THEORY OF SLEEP DO YOU PREFER?

I mainly prefer the Restoration theory of sleep, with a little influence from the Evolutionary theory of sleep. The Restoration theory of sleep aims on both restoring energy levels and repairing the brain and body. This sounds reasonable, as for energy after sleep, we tend to have restored energy from i.e. the night before – having to have worked and gained exhaustion. When sleeping, the energy levels are being restored and therefore, we are able to feel stronger the day after and able to cope with another day of work at the same amount. As for repairing brain and body; repairing brain and body to their balanced levels so that we can, right after sleep begin our new day, without any severe affect from the day before. The reason why I also approve of the Evolutionary theory having an influence is that some species such as lions or humans sleep longer than other species such as sheep – sleeping shorter. I believe that this has a lot to do with defense mechanisms. However, I do not agree with the Hibernation theory, which seems odder to me since different species have different times during the day to sleep, and different times of the day when they are awake.


II ON THEORIES OF MOTIVATION

Cannon’s homeostatic drive theory: Walter Cannon’s homeostatic drive theory of motivation is based on the adjustment of internal (bodily) balance to stay fairly equilibrium. This means that when an imbalance in the body occurs, there has to be something to balance and adjust or restore equilibrium. Some of the results of these corrections (e.g. sweating) is physiological, while others, such as the need for tissue, where we have to eat and drink, we behave in specific behaviors that will acquire food or water. Therefore, the imbalance – which leads to homeostatic drive – leads to the appropriate behavior and then to restoration of this internal balance. This approach to motivation is limited since it does not consider the psychological factors in motivation.

Hull’s drive-reduction theory: Hull’s drive-reduction theory connects primary drives (universal and unlearned, such as hunger and thirst) to behavior through the process of reinforcement. When a physiological system is unbalanced, it creates psychological drives. The reduction of these drives through appropriate behavior is negatively reinforcing. The ideas of Hull mainly focus on primary drives, which do not necessarily link to all behavior. Therefore, other theories have extended Hull’s theory by giving more prominence on secondary drives.

Expectancy (incentive) theory: Bolles’ expectancy theory takes a psychological aspect of motivation, suggesting that our behavior is motivated by external events – the expectation of rewards (incentives). These rewards have to have a value for us, in order for us to interpret them as rewards and motivation. These rewards can either be intrinsic (from inside) or extrinsic (from outside). Extrinsic rewards can reduce the effectiveness of intrinsic rewards. The eating motivation within this theory is explained by the positive incentive theory – meaning interaction of various factors – physiological and psychological.


III ON EMOTION

(a) Emotions are organized in the hindbrain and midbrain structures and their expressions are controlled and mediated by the limbic system. In the limbic system, a set of structures that are interconnected by neural pathways are included; hippocampus, septum, mammillary body, amygdala and cingulate cortex, all having direct connections to the hypothalamus. The right and left cerebral hemispheres play different roles in emotions, e.g.

Right hemisphere  more active when thinking about sad events.
Left hemisphere  more active when thinking about happy events. (Gur et al., 1994)


The Cannon-Bard theory is a developed version of the James-Lange theory – having to build up the theory, based and contrasting on the James-Lange theory. The James-Lange theory is suggesting that the physiological and behavioral responses are different, therefore separating the two. The Cannon-Bard theory however, is separating the two as “independent”, on the basis that they are still happening at the same time. The Scharchter’s cognitive labeling theory, however, is combining the two theories together. In contrast, it suggests that physiological arousal and emotional experience are independent but simultaneous responses to an emotion-producing stimulus. As seen on the table above, the comparisons and contrasts are clearly self-explanatory, especially on “Experiencing emotions” and “Arousal and Cognition”. Though, the “Importance in Emotions” are very similar, they are yet contrasting from each other. For the James-Lang theory, cognitive factors might be needed, though in both the Cannon-Bard and Schachter’s theories, cognitions are important in emotions. However, the only thing differing these from each other is that the Cannon-Bard theory suggests that these are independent, while the Scharachter’s theory suggests that cognitions and emotions are related.

Basing my own view on this evaluation, I am for the Schachter’s cognitive labeling theory, since the theory is a varied version of the two logical theories – one being developed, based on the other. Schachter’s theory sounds more real as it selects the most sensible alternative and forms its own theory – just as individuals do with their own view of theories. For example, it picks out the “Experiencing emotions” alternative from the James-Lange theory, yet combines it with the Cannon-Bard theory on the “Importance in emotions”. I believe that the Schachter’s theory is the most current, up-to-date theory and the most realistic of the three.


IV ON STRESS

1.) The concept of “stress” can be very broad. Stress can be a psychological (and physical) response of the body that occurs whenever we must adapt in changing conditions, whether those conditions might be real or perceived. Another concept of stress can be defined as the physiological state that prepares an organism for action. However, stress has also showed to occur when the pressures upon us exceed our resources to cope with those pressures. A stressor is something that causes stress, and it is important to differentiate between unpleasant stress – distress – and pleasant stress – eustress.

SCHOOLWORK
role ambiguity – (the schoolwork description may be unclear)
role overload – (the schoolwork is demanding more than the individual can possibly do for that given specific time, including other schoolwork from other subjects)

WEIGHT
intra-role conflict – (individual is expected both to eat and motion as she/he pleases, remaining healthy with high self-esteem and expected to lose weight (society role) and look as the current “ideal” person)
costs of fulfilling the role outweigh the reward – (the possibility of adopting a weight-related disease or something deadly outweigh the reward of becoming an “ideal” body.)
the perceived role differs from the expected role – (the perceived “ideal” body differs from individual to individual. The perceived “ideal” body role seems the most important factor of happiness without any drawbacks. However, the expected role contributes psychological pain as well as stress and the feeling of incompleteness and low appreciated.)

UNIVERSITY
cultural ideology conflicts with the role expectations – (to be pushing it to the severe and extreme, the background of the particular female individual might provide a cultural ideology of female role of a housewife or ready to get married at a young age, preventing the education of the female because of cultural purpose, such as some of my relatives’ ideology, which my family don’t support.)

4.) The most appropriate approach in my case would probably be the Behavioral approach, as its method of dealing with stress symptoms can help me to cope with stress, even though it only helps temporarily – for that moment. The Behavioral approach focuses on the individual both physiologically (as relevant to body – coping with stress in body) and psychologically (relaxation in mind – coping with stress mentally.) This would help me to relax fully, and to decide for a wiser result as a solution. Meditation would be an important factor of emptying the mind and coming to an inner sense of relaxation. This is necessary for dealing with stress mentally. In addition, meditation would be an important factor of relaxing the body, with the help of yoga practices. Apart from meditation, the shotgun approach – where the aim is to change all the behaviors associated with the Type A personality – would be suitable for me. I feel like these changes would make me think differently – therefore stress much less and make me cope with stress much easily.

V Short Essay

After the study of the main psychological perspectives and approaches as well as on motivation, I can clearly state my type of personality and the reasons for it; the influences and affects of certain psychological responses and arousals. As I already have stated on the previous part, “On Stress”, the stressors that affect me at school; the example I gave on schoolwork, weight and university, also affect my life as a whole, including my personality and the character in me. However, it’s wise to explain why I experience these specific stressors.

The school that I attend to is not a regular school with common goals and expectations as others. It requires more of an individual in this school, to make the most and best out of one’s intellectual competence as well as academic ability and prepare for more intensive and higher studies – internationally. Teacher and staff are – if not trained – practiced this routine to provide the control for these goals at school. Worries about university for instance, remains current, partially because the studies I have been educated prepared me for further studies – expectations involve in further studies – that is highly expected from me by others as well. For example, weight on the other hand, can become a stressor because of what a person thinks of how others can portray or even feel towards that person (negatively). At the same time, especially as a female, it is hard today, living in these circumstances just to ignore the “ideal body” which the media portrays. All of these are the effect of that environment becomes a reason for a stressor. We generally care a lot about other’s opinions – the environment and go for a majority-based view on things. When we do not fulfill those views near the complete, we build up upon our burdens and pressures, negative or positive, which can and might bring affect not only psychologically, but also even physiologically. From my personal experiences, I have actually felt the exhaustion and pressure “in my brain” – however that might occur. Yet these factors do not necessarily have to be environmental…

Our family and our loved ones’ views, states of minds and responses affect our stressful situations as well. People that mean a lot to us usually have their states of mind in existence in us. Their responses and comments – will and wants – have a great influence on our stressors. Imagine that you of your own will want to attend a university in Jönköping -320 km from Stockholm. Your family’s response to this is not a decision made upon you, although they are not fond of the idea because of the consequences involved, and would prefer you to attend a university in Stockholm. Tensions in the mind will go back and forth about whether you should go or stay.

Personality is affected by stress, but varies from person to person. Nevertheless, the general picture of a generally stressed person (Type A personality) illustrates a competitive person, highly motivated to achieve but restless, frequently alert and constantly have the feeling of not having time to fit in everything required of them. As I hold this type of personality, I know that this also is an affect of high expectations of yourself mainly – valuing and having more importance to what you do – with some family expectations.

For these reasons, when failing in managing stress – whether that might be failing in adapting for the action or failing to cope with stress – usually, another stressor adds on, this time even worse, as this becomes more like a punishment stress which usually will ques...