Drive Reduction Theory
- evilponderingartic
- Oct 20, 2025
- 1 min read
Clark Hull proposed Drive Reduction Theory in the middle of the twentieth century. It claims that physiological demands induce drives (tension states) that cause people to act in ways that lessen those urges. Hunger, for example, promotes a desire to eat. When the demand is fulfilled and homeostasis is restored, the urge subsides. Hull claimed that reducing a desire (like as eating while hungry) motivates the activity that enabled the reduction. In essence, organisms seek for homeostasis; any disturbance (thirst, fatigue, temperature imbalance) triggers activity to restore equilibrium.
This concept was essential in behaviorist psychology because it helped explain fundamental motivated acts related to survival needs. Its value now is mostly related to understanding underlying biological drives. For example, it explains why some needs are so strong: relieving hunger or thirst may temporarily motivate you to accomplish anything (such as hunt for food). Drive Reduction Theory has several faults, too. For example, it cannot easily explain behaviors motivated by curiosity or complex goals that extend beyond basic demands. It has been mostly overtaken by newer incentive theories like arousal or cognitive drives. In practice, the concept serves as a reminder of the importance of meeting people's fundamental needs. For example, instructors and bosses understand that failing to satisfy basic needs such as food and sleep would make it more difficult to learn and work. Hull's thesis, while mostly historical, highlighted the premise that fulfilling fundamental necessities is reinforcing. This concept is applied in a variety of applications, including animal training (rewarding positive behavior with goodies) and designing surroundings that satisfy people's physical requirements.
Sources:
https://www.simplypsychology.org/drive-reduction.html https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/psychology/drive-theory
