Understanding Psychology (10th Ed)

motivation
The factors that direct and 
energize the behavior of humans and 
other organisms.
instincts
Inborn patterns of behavior 
that are biologically determined rather 
than learned.
 Key Concept 
How does motivation direct 
and energize behavior?
M O D U L E 2 9 
Explaining Motivation
Aron Ralston
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310 Chapter 
10 
Motivation and Emotion
certain theories, especially those based on evolutionary approaches that focus on our 
genetic inheritance. Furthermore, Freud’s work suggests that instinctual drives of sex 
and aggression motivate behavior (Katz, 2001).
Drive-Reduction Approaches: 
Satisfying Our Needs
After rejecting instinct theory, psychologists fi rst proposed simple drive-reduction 
theories of motivation to take its place (Hull, 1943).  Drive-reduction approaches to 
motivation 
suggest that a lack of some basic biological requirement such as water 
produces a drive to obtain that requirement (in this case, the thirst drive).
To understand this approach, we begin with the concept of drive. A  drive  is 
motivational tension, or arousal, that energizes behavior to fulfi ll a need. Many basic 
drives, such as hunger, thirst, sleep, and sex, are related to biological needs of the 
body or of the species as a whole. These are called primary drives . Primary drives 
contrast with secondary drives in which behavior fulfi lls no obvious biological need. 
In secondary drives , prior experience and learning bring about needs. For instance, 
some people have strong needs to achieve academically and professionally. We can 
say that their achievement need is refl ected in a secondary drive that motivates their 
behavior (McKinley et al., 2004; Seli, 2007).
We usually try to satisfy a primary drive by reducing the need underlying it. For 
example, we become hungry after not eating for a few hours and may raid the 
refrigerator, especially if the next scheduled meal is not imminent. If the weather 
turns cold, we put on extra clothing or raise the setting on the thermostat to keep 
warm. If our bodies need liquids to function properly, we experience thirst and seek 
out water.