What does drive-reduction theory suggest about behavior?

Drive-reduction theory posits that behavior is motivated by biological drives that arise from a state of deprivation or need. According to this theory, individuals are driven to engage in behaviors that will satisfy these biological needs and thereby reduce the tension or discomfort associated with them. For instance, a person who is hungry will seek food to alleviate their hunger, which represents a biological drive. By satisfying the drive, the behavior serves to restore balance and homeostasis.

This framework highlights that behaviors are largely aimed at restoring equilibrium within the body by responding to internal stimuli. Thus, the correct answer focuses on the key idea that the motivation for behavior is fundamentally linked to the reduction of these biological drives, reinforcing the understanding of motivation in psychological terms.

In contrast, the other choices present alternative perspectives that do not align with the core principles of drive-reduction theory. For instance, while social influences and emotional drives may impact behavior, they are not the central focus of this theory. Similarly, the concept of reinforcement occurring disregarding biological drives veers away from the idea that biological needs motivate behavior in a fundamental way.