Understanding Psychology (10th Ed)

arousal approaches to motivation
The belief that we try to maintain 
certain levels of stimulation and 
activity increasing or reducing them 
as necessary.
FIGURE 1 
With homeostasis, a series of 
feedback loops is used to regulate body 
functions, similar to the way a thermostat 
turns on the furnace when a room’s air 
temperature becomes too cool and turns 
it off when the air temperature becomes 
too warm. Similarly, when body tempera-
ture becomes too low, the blood vessels 
constrict, and we shiver and seek warmth. 
When body temperature becomes too 
high, the blood vessels expand, and 
we sweat as our bodies try to lower the 
temperature. Can you think of other 
internal systems that operate via 
homeostasis?
Set point for cooling
When the room heats to 
this point, the regulatory 
system signals the air 
conditioner to cool. 
Set point for heating
When the room cools to 
this point, the regulatory 
system signals the furnace 
for heat. 
The sensor measures 
room temperature, 
providing feedback to 
the regulatory system. 
Regulatory system 
(Thermostat) 
Controlled systems 
Furnace 
Air 
conditioner 
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312 Chapter 
10 
Motivation and Emotion
FIGURE 2
Some people seek high 
levels of arousal, while others are more 
easygoing. You can get a sense of your 
own preferred level of stimulation by 
completing this questionnaire.
(Source: 
“Do You Seek Out Sensation?” questionnaire 
from Marvin Zuckerman, “The Search for 
High Sensation,” 
Psychology Today,
February 
1978, pp. 30-46. Reprinted with permission 
from 
Psychology Today
magazine, (Copyright 
© 1978 Sussex Publishers, LLC.)