Hull's Need Reduction Theory

Hull’s Need Reduction Theory /Drive Reduction Theory

Clark L Hull (1884-1952) a teacher in the university of Wisconsin and Yale, is credited with putting forth a systematic mathematical and scientific theory of human behaviour based on conditioning and connectionism of the earlier behaviourist. He built his theory on a logical structure of postulates and theorems.

Hull’s theory was first presented in 1943 in his major book ‘Principles of Behaviour ‘this theory was extended in 1952 through his last book ‘A Behaviour System’

                   

                    Hull introduced the concept of reinforcement and intervening variables between S and R. Accordingly, when a stimulus (S) impinges on the organism, it results in a sensory neural impulse (s) a kind of stimulus trace. This stimulus trace ultimately causes a motor neural reaction (r),that results in an overt response(R).

According to Hull

     A stimulus which deduces the need is called reinforcement , process of drive deduction is called reinforcement.

 

  Need                  Drive (motives)    

                   

                                                                                                                              

                                               Drive reduces