A drive theory attempts to analyze, classify or define the psychological drives, a drive being an instinctual need with the power to influence behavior, an excitatory state produced by a homeostatic disturbance. Drive theory holds that organisms are born with certain psychological needs and that a negative state of tension arises when these needs go unsatisfied; once a need is satisfied, drive is reduced and the organism returns to homeostasis, with drive tending to increase over time on a feedback control system much like a thermostat. In 1943 the psychologists Clark Hull and Kenneth Spence put forward a drive theory as an explanation of all behavior, supported by Hull's maze studies showing rats deprived of food longer were more likely to develop a habitual path to obtain it. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Facts
Core ClaimOrganisms are born with certain psychological needs, and a negative state of tension arises when these needs are not satisfied; satisfying a need reduces the drive and returns the organism to homeostasis. 1 Connections
Developed By
Co-developed with Kenneth Spence, who does not yet have an entry in this atlas.
Source Wikipedia: Drive Theory
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Drive Theory
Wikimedia FoundationIntroduction
In 1943 two psychologists, Clark Hull and Kenneth Spence, put forward a drive theory as an explanation of all behavior.
Introduction, principle of drive reduction
Drive theory is based on the principle that organisms are born with certain psychological needs and that a negative state of tension is created when these needs are not satisfied. When a need is satisfied, drive is reduced and the organism returns to a state of homeostasis and relaxation.
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