PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT 11

Drive Reduction and

Homeostasis Theory
Presented by Patindol and Radan
Clark L. Hull
Born on May 24, 1884, in Akron, New York.
Biography
He died on May 10, 1952, in New Haven, Connecticut.

A psychologist known for his drive theory and

research on human motivation.

He was listed as the 21st most frequently cited

psychologist.

He also advised a number of graduate students who

went on to make significant contributions to

psychology (Neal Miller, Carl Hovland, Kenneth

Spence)
MOTIVATION DRIVE HOMEOSTASIS
Motivation
describes the wants or needs that direct

behavior toward a goal

DRIVES MOTIVES
Acts of motivation that have primarily A reason for doing a certain thing

biological purposes. which are fueled primarily by social

and psychological mechanisms.

 Drives and
An early theory of motivation proposed that the

maintenance of homeostasis is particularly important in

Homeostasis
directing behavior.

Homeostasis is the tendency to maintain a balance, or

optimal level, within a biological system.

- the idea that the body actively works to maintain a

certain state of balance or equilibrium.

The purpose of biological drives is to correct

disturbances of homeostasis.
What is Drive Reduction
Theory?
 According to the theory, the reduction of drives is the primary

force behind motivation.

Deviations from homeostasis create physiological needs. These

needs result in psychological drive that direct behavior to meet

the need and, ultimately, bring the system back to homeostasis.

 Drive-Reduction
Theory and
Learning
Drives are thought to underlie all behavior

in that behaviors are only conditioned, or

learned, if the reinforcement satisfies a

drive.

Individuals faced with more than one need

at the same time experience multiple

drives, and research has shown that

multiple drives can lead to more rapid

learning than a single drive.

 PRIMARY DRIVES SECONDARY DRIVES
Innate biological needs (e.g., thirst, On the other hand, are not usually

hunger, and desire for sex) that are necessary for survival and are often linked

usually necessary for survival. to social or identity factors (e.g., the

desire for wealth).

When survival is in jeopardy, the organism is in a state

of need (when the biological requirements for survival

are not being met) so the organism behaves in a

fashion to reduce that need,

- Clark Hull
 When a physiological need is NOT SATISFIED, a negative
state of tension is created; when the need is SATISFIED, the

drive to satisfy that need is reduced and the organism returns

to homeostasis.
Drive-reduction theory also emphasizes the role that habits play in the

type of behavioral response in which we engage.

 Mathematical

Deductive Theory of

Behavior

sEr = V x D x K x J x sHr - sIr - Ir - sOr - sLr

Critiques of Drive
Reduction Theory
 ONE
The first major issue with Hull’s

reduction theory is that it fails to

explain how drive is also reinforced

by secondary reinforcers.
TWO
The theory also fails to explain the

reason behind humans and other

animals deliberately increasing

tension by exploring their

THREE environments, even if they are not

There are also complications to facing the drive of hunger or thirst.

drive-reduction theory caused by

so-called “pleasure-seeking”

behaviors, which seem to be

contradictory to the theory’s

precepts.
References

https://www.verywellmind.com/clark-hull-biography-1884-1952-

2795504

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-

psychology/chapter/theories-of-motivation

https://www.psychestudy.com/general/motivation-emotion/drive-

reduction-theory

https://www.verywellmind.com/drive-reduction-theory-2795381