Lesson Notes

Lesson 12.2a  Hunger and Eating: Multiple Biopsychosocial Factors

What makes us hungry? Why do some people eat to the point that they become obese, while others may not eat at all. As you have learned throughout these chapters, there are no easy or simple answers. What you will learn in this lesson is that there are a multitude of factors that contribute to our sensation of hunger and our eating habits. From early research conducted by Cannon and Washburn (1912), psychologists have found that the stomach is not the main source of our hunger. Brain research has concluded that although the hypothalamus, more specifically the lateral hypothalamus (LH) and the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH), has a significant role in determining if we feel hungry or satiation, the hypothalamus cannot fully explain this motivation.

You need to remember that even though the brain, biochemistry, and the stomach have some role in the motivation of hunger and eating, there are also psychosocial factors that are just as strong in influencing our motivations. Many of the psychosocial factors mentioned in the text can be viewed as culture specific. For example, where you may enjoy a steak made on a barbeque, other cultures view the eating of red meat as contrary to their cultural beliefs. At the same time, there are cultures that eat dog, rat, or even horses. While you may think that this is disgusting, just remember, they are probably thinking the same about Western culture red meat eaters.

The final section of this lesson looks at the concept of obesity and eating disorders. Obesity, too many politicians, media, and researchers, is at epidemic proportions in many parts of Western culture (especially the U.S.A.). Take into consideration that although over half of the American adult population is viewed as clinically obese, this is based on American standards. Try to think of how Western culture has facilitated this trend. One of the more compelling explanations is simply meal proportions. Since the mid 1950s the proportion size of meals has dramatically increased. The size of plates are larger, muffins are bigger, and “super size me” has become a common phrase. If this is the case, then why does it seem that North American culture is obsessed with being thin. Thin is seen as sexy, more successful, and healthy. Unfortunately, these same beliefs may lead some people (most specifically white females) to suffer from anorexia-nervosa or bulimia-nervosa.

As with many aspects of psychology, it is important to remember that American culture is not “world” culture. In other parts of the world, “thin is NOT in”. In many European cultures and South American countries, a “thin” person is seen as unhealthy. In other words, a “little meat on your bones” is a good thing. 

Lesson 12.2b  Achievement: The Need for Success

In this lesson you will learn about our motivational need for achievement. As identified by Henry Murray more than 70 years ago, people like Michael Jordan, Bill Gates, Steven Jobs, and yourself all exhibit different levels of nAch (a high need for achievement). One way to test achievement motivation is through the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), which asks subjects to tell a story about a random picture. What researchers have concluded is that achievement appears to be primarily learned. It comes from the interactions and influence of our parents, books we read, movies we watch, and the society around us. If high achievement is something that is valued in your family, then you are more likely to have a similar nAch.