Final answer:
Motivation in terms of homeostasis is best demonstrated by the 'set point,' which is the equilibrium value that the body strives to maintain, leading to behaviors that restore balance when there is a deviation.
Step-by-step explanation:
An explanation of motivation in terms of homeostasis is best illustrated by the concept of set point. Homeostasis is the biological system's tendency to maintain a balance or optimal level. Various homeostatic mechanisms in the body ensure that internal conditions such as temperature, glucose levels, and other vital variables are kept within normal ranges around a set point.
When a stimulus causes a deviation from the set point, sensors in the body detect this change and signal control centers, typically in the brain, which then direct effectors to restore balance. This results in a physiological need that creates a drive state, which motivates behavior to satisfy the need and return to the set point. For example, hunger drives an individual to seek food, thereby bringing blood sugar levels back to normal and restoring homeostasis. This ongoing process exemplifies how homeostasis influences motivational states and behaviors.