Passage
Health psychologists interested in studying the influence of positive and negative thinking on weight loss conducted a study on 120 obese adults attempting to lose weight. Participants indicated on a scale of 1 to 7 how successful they thought they would be at losing weight (1 = "not successful" and 7 = "very successful") and how much control they believed they had over their success (1 = "no control" and 7 = "complete control") , recorded as expectation of success scores and control of success scores, respectively.Participants were then randomly divided into three groups and asked to complete a 15-minute guided mental exercise twice a day for three weeks. Participants in the fantasy/reality contrast condition were instructed to reflect on two positive aspects of a fantasized weight loss, such as attaining better health and more energy, and two negative aspects of reality that impede weight loss, such as lack of discipline and desire to eat unhealthy foods. Participants in the positive fantasy condition were asked to reflect on four positive aspects of weight loss, and participants in the negative reality condition were asked to reflect on four factors that impede weight loss.At the end of this three-week period, participants began a three-month diet and exercise regimen involving caloric restriction to 1,500 calories per day as well as regular participation in aerobic exercise and weight training. Researchers recorded weekly weights of participants and surveyed participants regarding adherence to proactive weight loss strategies. The results are shown by group in Figures 1 and 2.
Figure 1 Average weight recorded for each group during three-month follow-up
Figure 2 Initial expectation of success score versus average weight loss
-Which of the following proactive weight loss strategies is most consistent with drive-reduction theory?

Question

Passage
Health psychologists interested in studying the influence of positive and negative thinking on weight loss conducted a study on 120 obese adults attempting to lose weight. Participants indicated on a scale of 1 to 7 how successful they thought they would be at losing weight (1 = "not successful" and 7 = "very successful") and how much control they believed they had over their success (1 = "no control" and 7 = "complete control") , recorded as expectation of success scores and control of success scores, respectively.Participants were then randomly divided into three groups and asked to complete a 15-minute guided mental exercise twice a day for three weeks. Participants in the fantasy/reality contrast condition were instructed to reflect on two positive aspects of a fantasized weight loss, such as attaining better health and more energy, and two negative aspects of reality that impede weight loss, such as lack of discipline and desire to eat unhealthy foods. Participants in the positive fantasy condition were asked to reflect on four positive aspects of weight loss, and participants in the negative reality condition were asked to reflect on four factors that impede weight loss.At the end of this three-week period, participants began a three-month diet and exercise regimen involving caloric restriction to 1,500 calories per day as well as regular participation in aerobic exercise and weight training. Researchers recorded weekly weights of participants and surveyed participants regarding adherence to proactive weight loss strategies. The results are shown by group in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 1 Average weight recorded for each group during three-month follow-up

Figure 2 Initial expectation of success score versus average weight loss
-Which of the following proactive weight loss strategies is most consistent with drive-reduction theory?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

11ecba2d_0c9d_9056_a3bf_bf11cf35b37d_MD0008_00 Drive-reduction theory proposes that motivation is a result of a disruption of homeostasis, which generates a biological need. The biological need generates a drive to fulfill that need, which prompts action. For example, when blood glucose levels drop, an organism feels hungry and engages in food-seeking behaviors. Therefore, eating slowly and mindfully and stopping when full is a strategy that addresses a physiological need and is most consistent with drive-reduction theory. (Choice A) Keeping a food journal does not directly address the reduction of a physiological drive. (Choice B) Secondary reinforcers (eg, new clothes) do not address the reduction of a drive; this strategy more closely aligns with incentive theory. (Choice C) Exercise disrupts homeostasis. Although this disruption is positive and leads to healthy physiological adaptations, this strategy is the opposite of drive-reduction theory. Educational objective: According to drive-reduction theory, motivation is the result of a disruption in homeostasis, which produces a physiological need (eg, hunger), which leads to a drive (eg, desire to eat). Homeostasis is reestablished once the drive is reduced.

Passage Health Psychologists Interested in Studying the Influence of Positive and and Negative