Hull, Clarke L.


Clark L. Hull (1884-1952) was an American behaviourist psychologist best known for his work in the areas of learning and motivation. Hull proposed an influential drive theory of motivation, in which he postulated that behaviours are driven by tension created by physiological needs, and that actions that contribute to the reduction of drives serve as reinforcers for learning. Hull also attempted to create a mathematical theory of learning, with which all behaviour could be explained.