A psychological tension and physical arousal present when there is a need that motivates the organism to act in order to fulfill the need and reduce the tension is called a(n)

• A. drive.
• B. instinct.
• C. need.
• D. stimulus.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Begin by understanding the key terms in the problem: 'psychological tension', 'physical arousal', 'need', 'motivates', and 'reduce the tension'. These terms are crucial in identifying the correct concept.
2. Consider the concept of 'drive' in psychology, which refers to an internal state that arises in response to a need, creating tension and motivating behavior to reduce that tension.
3. Compare 'drive' with the other options: 'instinct', 'need', and 'stimulus'. An 'instinct' is an innate, typically fixed pattern of behavior in animals in response to certain stimuli. A 'need' is a requirement essential for survival, but it does not inherently include the tension or arousal aspect. A 'stimulus' is an external factor that can trigger a response but does not necessarily involve internal tension.
4. Analyze how 'drive' specifically involves both psychological tension and physical arousal, which are not necessarily components of the other options.
5. Conclude that the term 'drive' best fits the description provided in the problem, as it encapsulates the idea of tension and arousal motivating an organism to act to fulfill a need and reduce tension.