Drive Theory

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Drive Theory

• Thomas G. Bowers, Ph.D.
• Penn State Harrisburg

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Drive Theory

• Hulls behavioral theory
• Reinforcement was described as drive reduction
• For example, food deprivation yields hunger (a
  drive state) which motivates behavior, and makes
  food reinforcing
• Thirst motivated research was common

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Drive Theory

• Hulls behavioral theory
• Skinner later rejected the notion of reference to
  hypothetical constructs to explain behavior
• Instead focused on descriptive behavioral
  analysis

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Drive Theory

• E (H D K) - I.
• Where E refers to reaction potential, related to
  the probability, force and speed of a response.
• H refers to habit strength, the strength of
  association developed through reinforcement.

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Drive Theory

• D refers to drive. Drive is a motivator, and
  energizes behavior.
• K refers to incentive motivation. Measure of
  amount and delay of reinforcement.

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Drive Theory

• I refers to inhibition. This could reflect both
  fatigue and active inhibition as in extinction,
  or CS- signals.

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Drive Theory

• Motivational theories are not widely espoused in
  psychology at this time
• Motivational analysis appears to be more common
  in biological sciences
• Rejection may reflect the lack of parsimony in
  the theoretical system

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Drive Theory

• Are theories of learning necessary?
• Is motivation important?