Reexamination of the role of the hypothalamus in motivation

Presents data to support the view that there is much less anatomical specificity within the hypothalamus than is commonly assumed. Significant differences in animals between natural states of hunger and thirst, and those associated with the elicitation of eating and drinking are described. Additional information related to species differences, the role of prior experience, and an analysis of the environmental conditions essential to the elicitation of well-established response patterns suggests an alternative interpretation of hypothalamic function in the regulation of behavior. (39 ref.)