PSYC 391: Motivation and Emotion

Motivation and Emotion is a distinct subfield of psychology that has an intellectual history dating back to Classical Greek philosophy. Usually we say that it is the study of processes that influence the arousal, instigation, direction, and intensity of action. Stated this way, it is hard to pinpoint what this course is not about. What we will do throughout the course is to examine the individual person from several levels of analysis—biological, genetic, physiological, cognitive, personality, and social—with no prior assumption about which perspective is best. We will explore historical origins and current thinking in an array of topics, with special emphasis on critical thinking and productive dialogue. These skills are central to your university experience and are highly valued in work and other settings.