Drive Theories of Stimulus-Response Learning

Attempts to explain all behavior with a single theory

A single common mechanism underlies all learning and behavior

Mechanistic, no thoughts or mental state, learning is the reaction to environmental stimuli

Mental representation, learning is understanding the associations & relationships between events

Stimulus response theory, all behavior can be explained in terms of conditioned responses to stimuli. All behavior is about drive reduction and the return to homeostasis

Internally generated drive

Environmental cues can acquire the ability to induce drive through association with conditions of high drive

Behaviors are directed to goals, not just passive responses to stimuli