Popular Theories Of Motivation
The following is a list of the most popular motivational theories.
- Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
- Hertzberg’s motivator and hygiene factors
- Theory X and Theory Y
Maslow’s Hierarchy Of Needs
Abraham Maslow’s is probably the most popular theory of motivation. Its premise is based on the fact that all people have similar needs. He identified those needs as physiological, safety, social, ego and self actualisation. The needs are arranged as a progressive and hierarchical set of needs as shown in the diagram below.
The theory states that people seek to meet and fulfil their needs at the lower levels of the hierarchy first. If the lower order needs are not met it is unlikely that an individual will seek out fulfilment at the higher level. An example of this would be if a person’s job security (safety needs) is threatened, it is unlikely a new incentive that builds on recognition (ego needs) will provide much in the way of motivation for the employee.
The theory has many detractors who state that no hierarchy can be substantiated or even proven. Where the theory is useful though is at giving us an appreciation of the many varied needs of the human and that people are more likely to focus on higher order need once lower order needs are met and satisfied.
Hertzberg’s Motivator & Hygiene Factors
Frederick Hertzberg created this theory also known as the two factor theory in 1959. According to his theory, people are influenced by two factors:
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Satisfiers
(or motivators). These factors help increase satisfaction and have the potential to make people feel good. These factors have little effect on dissatisfaction. Motivators are defined as: Achievement; Recognition; Work Itself; Responsibility; Promotion; Growth. These are listed in order of power to be able to motivate.
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Dissatisfiers
(or hygiene factors). These factors act as demotivators and cause dissatisfaction and negative feeling is they are not handled appropriately. However if they are appropriately dealt with have little motivating force. Hygiene Factors include; Company Policy and Administration; Relationships with co-workers; Physical Environment; Supervision; Status; Job Security; Salary & Benefits
The hygiene factors are also referred to as environmental factors because these factors are external to the individual. If there are no problems in the environment then things are considered to be adequate motivationally speaking. It is only if these environmental factors start to operate at less than an optimum level that motivation will be affected. For instance, pay is considered to be a dissatisfier because if you are not being paid enough you will become dissatisfied. However it can be argued that if you were given a pay rise you would feel motivated, however this would have only a negligible effect on your short term motivation. In short anything that has the potential to annoy you and thus demotivate you is considered a dissatisfier.
Theory X and Theory Y
Theory X and Theory Y are motivation theories created by Douglas McGregor in the 1960’s. Theory X and Y describe two sets of beliefs a manager might hold about the origins of human behaviour. It is hypothesized that the manager’s own behaviour would be largely determined by the particular beliefs that he subscribed to i.e. theory x or theory y.
Theory X assumes that people are lazy and uninterested in work and seek to avoid responsibility. These and as such they need to be persuaded, pushed, coaxed and cajoled in order to get anything done.
Theory Y on the other hand assumes that people want to work. They find fulfilment and satisfaction in their work and they need little or no coercion in order to make their work interesting.
McGregor’s work is often misinterpreted as Theory Y is more superior to Theory X and therefore all managers should seek to manage their people on the assumption that people want to work. However many theorist’s and pragmatists know that this would be a gross over-generalisation and simplification which was not McGregor’s intention. In his book, “The Human Side of Enterprise”, where he expounded his theory he hoped that it would lead managers to develop appropriate managerial strategies based on reality drawing from these opposing views.
Coming Soon!
McClelland’s Motivational Needs theory
Vroom’s Expectancy Theory
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Tags: Frederick Hertzberg, Maslow, Motivation, motivation theory, theory x, theory y