What is drive reductionism?

Drive reduction theory is the view that organisms learn to engage in bahaviors that have the effect of reducing drives.

According to Clark Hull, primary drives such as hunger, thirst, and pain trigger arousal (tension) and activate behavior. We learn to engage in behaviors that reduce the tension. We also acquire drives through experience. These drives are called acquired drives.

Primary drives like hunger are triggered whenwe are in a state of deprivation. Sensations of hunger motivate us to act in ways that will restore the bodily balance. This tendency is to maintain a steady state is called homeostasis. Homeostasis works much like a thermostat. When the temperature in a room drops below the set point, the heatging system is triggered. the heat stays on until the set point is reached. Similarly, most animals eat until theya re no longer hungry. The fact that many people eat "recreationally" - for example, when they see an appealing dessert - suggests there is more to eating than drive reduction.

Reference: Rathus, S. A. (2008). Psychology: Concepts and connections. USA, Thomson Wadsworth

Drive reduction theory is the view that organisms learn to engage in bahaviors that have the effect of reducing drives.

According to Clark Hull, primary drives such as hunger, thirst, and pain trigger arousal (tension) and activate behavior. We learn to engage in behaviors that reduce the tension. We also acquire drives through experience. These drives are called acquired drives.

Primary drives like hunger are triggered whenwe are in a state of deprivation. Sensations of hunger motivate us to act in ways that will restore the bodily balance. This tendency is to maintain a steady state is called homeostasis. Homeostasis works much like a thermostat. When the temperature in a room drops below the set point, the heatging system is triggered. the heat stays on until the set point is reached. Similarly, most animals eat until theya re no longer hungry. The fact that many people eat "recreationally" - for example, when they see an appealing dessert - suggests there is more to eating than drive reduction.

Reference: Rathus, S. A. (2008). Psychology: Concepts and connections. USA, Thomson Wadsworth