drivertheory

Drivertheory, commonly called drive theory or drive-reduction theory, is a set of motivational theories in psychology that propose internal physiological states (drives) propel organisms to take action to reduce those drives and restore homeostasis. The concept was developed in the early 20th century and is associated with Clark L. Hull, who formulated a formal model in the 1940s.

Primary drives (such as hunger, thirst, and temperature regulation) and secondary drives (learned through reinforcement, such as money or social approval) are central to the framework. Behavior is directed toward reducing drive; once the drive is reduced, the response is reinforced, increasing the likelihood of repetition. Hull’s view suggested that performance is a product of drive strength and habit strength.

Criticisms of drive theory focus on its emphasis on biological needs, which can underplay cognitive, social, and intrinsic motivational factors. Some behaviors occur without obvious drive states, and the theory does not always predict complex or long-term motivation. Consequently, later theories have integrated drive theory with concepts such as incentive value, cognitive expectations, and situational goals.

Influence and applications of drive theory include early animal learning experiments and its role in shaping ideas about motivation in education, training, and behavior modification. In contemporary psychology, drive theory is typically considered alongside alternative explanations of motivation, such as incentive theory, arousal theory, and expectancy-value models, to account for a broader range of human and animal behavior.

In common usage, the term drivertheory may appear as a variant spelling or shorthand, but standard references usually employ drive theory or drive-reduction theory.