Drive Theory Essay

1073 Words5 Pages
Drive Theory There are two different drive theories that have been learned. The first being Freud, where he “believes that behavior was motivated and that the purpose of behavior was to serve the satisfaction of needs.” (Reeve, 2001, p 27) He summarizes the drive theory with four components; source, impetus, aim, and object. Despite its creativity though, it has a few criticisms. According to Reeve, there were three, which included relative overestimation of the contribution of biological forces to motivation, an over reliance on data taken from case studies of disturbed individuals, and ideas that were not scientifically testable. (2001, p 27) Fortunately, none of these can be applied to the second drive theory. The second drive theory was brought about by Clark Hull. Hull believed “drive was a pooled energy source composed of all current bodily disturbances. In other words, particular needs for food, water, sex, sleep, and so forth summed to constitute a total bodily need.” (Reeve, 2001, p 28) Motivation is physiologically based on bodily needs. According to Reeve, a list of Hull's primary drives does not sound overly discrepant from a list of the major instincts: hunger, thirst, sex, air, temperature regulation, defecation, urination, rest (following exertion), sleep, activity, nest building, care of one's young, and pain avoidance. (2001, p 28) This paper will describe how this theory would or would not be applicable if applied to workplace situations. Situation 1 I have worked for an employer where it was always warm, noisy and very physical. It was warm before the machines even were turned on, and once all the employees showed up and turned the machines on, it got even warmer. Then, since it was a physical job, you were even warmer. The noise from the machines, depending on which area you were working, was almost unbearable. This employer met some of
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