PSYC 271 Lecture 11: Week 11 (Ch 12, 13, 14, 15)-Motivation
28 Feb 2017
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Document Summary
In order to function, humans must convert organic material into chemical energy which is stored within the body. The main assumption of set point theories is that hunger is a response to an energy need. Therefore, we eat to maintain an energy set point (homeostatic point). When we deviate from the homeostatic point we eat to regain homestasis. Glucostatic theories: glucose levels determine when we eat (immediate meal initiation and termination). Lipostatic theories: fat stores determine how much we eat over long term (explaining why weight tends to be constant). While initially attractive theories, there are several problems. Problems: these theories cannot explain eating disorders, inconsistent with evolutionary pressures related to eating. Isn"t much evidence that eating is motivated by glucose or fat levels. If you"re craving something, you might eat it even if you don"t feel hunger, thus not following the set-point idea.
