Drive-Reduction Theory: Understanding Motivation through Biological Needs, Study notes of Neurobiology

Download Drive-Reduction Theory: Understanding Motivation through Biological Needs and more Study notes Neurobiology in PDF only on Docsity! Drive-Reduction Theory Sarah Mae Sincero40.4K reads A theory of motivation developed by Clark L. Hull, the Drive-Reduction Theory focuses on how motivation originates from biological needs or drives. In this theory, Hull proposed a person’s behaviour is an external display of his desire to satisfy his physical deficiencies. Origin of the Theory Clark L. Hull was working at Yale University when he began to develop the drive-reduction theory. Inspired by several prominent scientists such as John B. Watson, Ivan Pavlov, Edward Thorndike and Charles Darwin, Hull based his theory on the earlier theories that relate to the concepts of motivation. His theory is grounded on the principle of homeostasis, believing that behaviour is one of the ways in which a person can maintain the state of homeostasis or balance. The theory was further developed by Kenneth Spence as it began to be a major theory of motivation in the late 1940s. The Theory A “drive” is a state of arousal or tension triggered by a person’s physiological or biological needs. These needs include hunger, thirst, need for warmth, etc. In this theory, Hull stated that drives give rise to an individual’s motivation. Furthermore, Hull explained that an individual is in a state of need when his survival is threatened. When a person’s drive emerges, he will be in an unpleasant state of tension and the person will behave in such a