Which drives are learned through experience or conditioning, such as the need for money or social approval?

• A. Acquired (Secondary) Drives
• B. Primary Drives
• C. Instincts
• D. Drive

Answer: (A)

The concept here is that some motives come from learning rather than biology. Primary drives are biological needs essential for survival—things like hunger, thirst, and sleep. They arise without needing to be taught. In contrast, acquired (secondary) drives come from experience and conditioning. They’re learned through culture, reinforcement, and social cues, so they motivate behavior even though there isn’t a direct bodily need behind them.

Money and social approval fit this learned category because they gain value through experience and social reinforcement. Money becomes valuable because it’s linked to obtaining food, shelter, safety, and status, all of which are pursued through rewards learned over time. Social approval motivates behaviors because people have been conditioned to seek positive social feedback. These are not innate physiological needs, which is why acquired drives are the best description.

That’s why the other ideas don’t fit as well: primary drives are biological, instincts are innate patterns, and a generic term like “drive” doesn’t specify the learning aspect.