Final answer:
According to drive reduction theory, the example that best fits is 'The desire to remove a painful splinter' because it is a behavior aimed at reducing a physicological drive and restoring homeostasis, which is the primary focus of the theory.
Step-by-step explanation:
The drive reduction theory of motivation suggests that the primary purpose of a behavior is to reduce physiological drives. In the context of the question, the most appropriate example of motivation as described in the theory would be D. The desire to remove a painful splinter.
This desire represents a direct attempt to return to a state of homeostasis by addressing a physiological imbalance, which is the presence of the splinter causing pain and prompting the individual towards a specific behavior to remove that discomfort.
Options A, B, and C, on the other hand, represent behaviors that are more aligned with either arousal theory (seeking excitement or novelty) or intrinsic motivation (personal enjoyment or creative expression). These options do not directly fit into the drive reduction theory, which is more concerned with the physiological needs and restoration of balance in the body.