Question

As Marcia took her place in the classroom on her first day of class, a familiar feeling surged inside of her. She found herself "scoping out the competition," considering topics for the "best in class" paper, and listening for an opportunity to add to class discussion on the first day. According to drive-reduction theory, Marcia:

a) will experience reduction in her competitive drive if she does well on her first exam.
b) is presenting a secondary drive to compete.
c) will establish a homeostatic condition and be less competitive as the class progresses.
d) is presenting a primary drive to compete.

From what I understand I think it is b.

Answer 1

b is true. Her drive is not related to biological needs.
a. could be true, but her drive was to have best in paper class, and catch the attention of the insturctor, not do well on tests.
c. could be true, but often not.
d. Nuts

I am very surprised you are studying this. This theory as been debunked for several years now, and all but has disappeared from study, however, it is important historically because it gave rise to many better ideas on human motivation, perhaps that is the purpose of your study.


If you really want to motivate human beings, one has to recognize a person is motivated by a) the need to grow, and b) the need to avoid pain. That is what I learned well at USC.