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are naturally happier than others, but it is also facilitated by social support—our positive social
relationships with others.
People do not often know what will make them happy. After a minimum level of wealth is
reached, more money does not generally buy more happiness. Although people think that
positive and negative events will make a huge difference in their lives, and although these
changes do make at least some difference in life satisfaction, they tend to be less influential than
we think they are going to be.
A motivation is a driving force that initiates and directs behavior. Motivations are often
considered in psychology in terms of drives and goals, with the goal of maintaining homeostasis.
Eating is a primary motivation determined by hormonal and social factors. Cultural norms about
appropriate weights influence eating behaviors. The desire to be thin can lead to eating disorders
including anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.
Uncontrolled obesity leads to health problems including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, sleep
apnea, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, and some types of cancer. It is a leading preventable cause
of death worldwide. The two approaches to controlling weight are eating less and exercising
more.
Sex is a fundamental motivation that involves the coordination of a wide variety of behaviors,
including courtship, sex, household arrangements, parenting, and child care. The sexual response
cycle is similar in men and women. The sex hormone testosterone is particularly important for
sex drive, in both men and women.
Sexual behavior varies widely, not only between men and women but within each sex.
The vast majority of human beings have a heterosexual orientation, but a smaller minority is
primarily homosexual or bisexual. The love and sexual lives of homosexuals and bisexual are
little different from those of heterosexuals, except where their behaviors are constrained by
cultural norms and local laws.