A surfer is about to attempt to ride the biggest wave she has ever seen. Her heart is pounding with fear, and she is not sure if she can make it without wiping out, but she attempts to ride the wave anyway. Explain this behavior in terms of the following theories of motivation and emotion.
a. Achievement motive
b. Arousal theory
c. Maslow's hierarchy of needs
d. Cannon-Bard thalamic theory
e. Opponent-process theory
a. Achievement motive: The surfer may have a high achievement motive, which compels her to take on challenging tasks in order to attain personal accomplishment or success. Despite her fear and uncertainty, her desire to conquer and experience the thrill of successfully riding the biggest wave motivates her to attempt it.
b. Arousal theory: The surfer's heart pounding with fear indicates a high level of physiological arousal. According to arousal theory, individuals are motivated to seek an optimal level of arousal that is neither too high nor too low. The surfer may be seeking the excitement and sensation of riding a big wave, which increases her arousal and gives her a sense of exhilaration.
c. Maslow's hierarchy of needs: The surfer may be motivated by the need for self-actualization, which is the highest level in Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Self-actualization refers to the desire to fulfill one's potential, seek personal growth, and engage in activities that bring a sense of fulfillment. By attempting to ride the biggest wave, the surfer is expressing her need for personal achievement, growth, and self-fulfillment.
d. Cannon-Bard thalamic theory: The surfer's fear and uncertain emotions are likely triggered by the thalamus, according to the Cannon-Bard thalamic theory of emotion. This theory suggests that emotional experiences and physiological responses occur simultaneously, with the thalamus playing a key role in activating both emotional and physiological responses. As the surfer's thalamus receives sensory information about the huge wave and the potential danger it poses, her fear and physiological arousal simultaneously occur.
e. Opponent-process theory: The surfer's initial fear and uncertainty can be explained by the opponent-process theory of emotion. According to this theory, emotional experiences involve not only primary emotions (such as fear) but also opposing or contrasting secondary emotions (such as excitement or exhilaration). The surfer's fear of wiping out on the big wave may be accompanied by a contrasting secondary emotion of excitement or thrill, which motivates her to attempt riding the wave despite her fear.