ENERGY MODELS OF MOTIVATION - A RECONSIDERATION

Authors
Citation
Ja. Hogan, ENERGY MODELS OF MOTIVATION - A RECONSIDERATION, Applied animal behaviour science, 53(1-2), 1997, pp. 89-105
Citations number
48
Categorie Soggetti
Agriculture Dairy & AnumalScience
ISSN journal
01681591
Volume
53
Issue
1-2
Year of publication
1997
Pages
89 - 105
Database
ISI
SICI code
0168-1591(1997)53:1-2<89:EMOM-A>2.0.ZU;2-4
Abstract
During the first half of the 20th century, most theories of behavior i nvoked some concept of motivation that included an energy or drive var iable. For a variety of reasons, such variables were widely criticized and have been generally out of fashion during the past 30 years. This paper examines some of the criticisms of energy variables, especially as postulated by Lorenz, and suggests ways of overcoming many of the objections raised. An energy variable is proposed that has multiple so urces of energy (both internal and external) and multiple means of dis sipating energy (performance of the behavior, performance of alternati ve behavior, and passage of time). Results from studies on dustbathing in chickens, attack and other behavior in fish, and sleep in humans a re reviewed and shown to be partially accounted for by fluctuations in an energy variable. In most cases, however, an additional variable, c alled threshold, is required for a full account of the observed behavi or. It is concluded that a general theory of motivation should include both an energy variable and a threshold variable. (C) 1997 Elsevier S cience B.V.