Hot And Cool Model Essay

1. Explain the hot/cool model and discuss why “hot system” is likely to take control when a person is under stress? (what is it about stressful situations that allows this to happen)

The hot/cool model was built on to assimilate the various discoveries from the delay of gratification work. It also explains in detail about the mechanisms of delay of gratification. The hot and cool model is two primary systems that control ones behavior. The hot system responds quickly and emotionally to conditional or unconditional triggers. When we feel like doing something that we like, this system tells us to go and do it. The hot system is solely based on emotions and is significantly under stimulus control. When we encounter stimulus that assures us incentives,

The hot system is likely to take control when we are stressed because we tend to yield to temptations when we are stressed. A very common example would be smokers tend to smoke more when they are stressed. Smoking is a temptation to them hence when they are stressed they tend to smoke. Another example would be a person who is going on diet would forgo their diet and eat more when they are stressed. Hence, one is usually told not to practice a new behavior when they are stressed as they are less likely to succeed.

2. Discuss the biological, learning and cognitive components of motivation.

The biological component of motivation focuses mainly on the structure and design of the brain. Our brain plays a big role as it is accountable for our survival, our health, our happiness and even our ability to succeed. According to the evolutionary psychologists, the design of our brain today influences our behavior and it has evolved to help our ancestors adapt to their environment. We are able to adapt to the current environment using the “old” brain. One good example of our brain design is temperament. Temperament is how one reacts and self-regulates in order to deal with certain environmental demands.