1. DRIVE REDUCTION THEORY

2. A “Need” is a biological or psychological requirement
A “Drive” is an internal condition that orients an individual toward a specific goal 1
Physiological Need
(Hunger, Thirst, Sex) 2
Drive
(Organism engages in
random activity to satisfy
its needs) 4
Satisfaction
(Organism’s needs have been satisfied)
A drive encourages a person to act in goal-directed behaviors to achieve “Homeostasis” – a state of physical or psychological balance.
Homeostasis is a temporary condition. A need will develop over time. 3
Goal-directed behavior
(Organism adopts a behavior that reduces the drive)

3. The Hypothalamus helps direct behavior
With the Lateral Hypothalamus removed a rat will not eat, even when surrounded by food
With the Ventromedial Hypothalamus removed a rat will continue to eat, even when it is not hungry
With the Ventromedial Hypothalamus removed a rat will continue to eat, even when it is not hungry

4. Drive Reduction Theory Tested
Have you ever eaten when you weren’t hungry?
What about a person that excessively works out?
How do we account for other motivating factors like: achievement, power, and curiosity?
Too much eating?
Too much working out?
Too much tanning?
Too much tanning?

5. Environmental Factors that Affect our Hunger
1. Availability of food
2. Learned preferences
and habits
3. Stress
Weight gain
Weight loss

6. Set Point
The “Set Point” is the weight at which an adult is supposedly set
When the body falls below this weight, an increase in hunger and a lowered metabolic rate, may act to restore the lost weight
Eating disorders can cause a person to deviate wildly from their set point.
Anorexia Nervosa
Bulimia Nervosa

7. MASLOW’S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS
SELF-ACTUALIZATION
NEEDS
TRANSCENDENCE
(The need to fulfill one’s unique potential)
SELF-ACTUALIZATION
AESTHETIC
PSYCHOLOGICAL
NEEDS
COGNITIVE
ESTEEM
(To feel a sense of achievement, competence, and belonging)
ATTACHMENT
(The need to fulfill one’s unique potential)
FUNDAMENTAL
NEEDS
SAFETY
(To feel secure, safe,
and out of danger)
BIOLOGICAL

8. Maslow’s Hierarchy in “Ratatouille”