Which theory states that biological needs create tension motivating behavior to reduce that tension and restore homeostasis?

Which theory states that biological needs create tension motivating behavior to reduce that tension and restore homeostasis?

• A. Motivation
• B. Instincts
• C. Drive-Reduction Theory
• D. Arousal Theory

Answer: (C)

Biological needs create a state of tension that motivates you to take actions to reduce that tension and bring the body back to a balanced state. This is Drive-Reduction Theory: when a need isn’t met, a drive emerges, pushing you to engage in behaviors that satisfy the need, and once the need is met, the drive subsides and homeostasis is restored. For example, hunger pushes you to eat, thirst pushes you to drink, and sleeping reduces the tired drive. This view differs from theories that focus on seeking higher levels of arousal or on fixed, instinctive patterns, and from broad ideas of motivation that don’t tie behavior directly to deficit-driven states.

Biological needs create a state of tension that motivates you to take actions to reduce that tension and bring the body back to a balanced state. This is Drive-Reduction Theory: when a need isn’t met, a drive emerges, pushing you to engage in behaviors that satisfy the need, and once the need is met, the drive subsides and homeostasis is restored. For example, hunger pushes you to eat, thirst pushes you to drink, and sleeping reduces the tired drive. This view differs from theories that focus on seeking higher levels of arousal or on fixed, instinctive patterns, and from broad ideas of motivation that don’t tie behavior directly to deficit-driven states.