Emotions and Motivation

Emotions are cognitive or psychological states that influence behavior, and motivation is the
driving force underlying human or animal behavior. Emotions and motivation are studied
widely in psychology. This paper discusses the concepts of emotions and motivation and
analyses how the two influence people’s daily lives.
Emotions and lack of emotions would dull us because we could not know how to express our
feelings. The James-Lange theory is one of the emotional theories that explain that
physiological changes come first and then lead to emotional experience. The physiological
changes are the basis of emotions experienced. Non-verbal tends to send information through
facial expressions and also body movements. Facial expressions are one of the most common
forms of non-verbal communication and tend to show current emotions experienced. For
example, a frown may show disagreement.
Theories of emotions.
Several theories explain emotions. Cannon bard theory states that emotions and bodily
changes occur simultaneously but not one after the other using the same nerve from the
thalamus.
The James-Lange theory states that physiological changes come first and lead to emotional
experience. The physiological changes are the basis of emotions experienced.
Schachter-singer’s theory states that emotion focuses on physical arousal and cognitive
processes.
Functions of emotions
Emotions prepare us for actions; for instance, when you feel fear, digestion slows down, and
pupils start to expand.

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Emotions also shape our future behavior; one example is when you feel nice after passing a
test and get motivated to do the next one.
It helps us to interact more effectively with others.

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Motivation is the driving force underlying human and animal behaviors.
Approaches in Motivation.
There are different approaches to motivation. The instinct approach is one of the approaches
it states that all living things are born with behaviors that are biologically or genetically
programmed to help them survive.
Drive-reduction focuses on how it comes from the desire of wanting to meet a biological
need to achieve homeostasis.
The arousal approach is where one is energized to sustain balanced physiological arousal.
The cognitive approach is the aftermath of people’s expectations, thoughts, and decision-
making.
Maslows is a psychological idea that states five basic needs that motivate people.

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Feldom,S., (2019) understanding Psychologyy New york.

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provide energy that channels behaviour in appropriate directs. Drive reduction theory of
motivation suggests that a lack of some basic needs such as lack of foods produces a drive to
push an organism to satisfy that need.