Premium Essay

Classification of Motivation Theories

In:

Submitted By fania
Words 9107
Pages 37
cation A Classification of Motivation Theories (Content vs. Process)
Motivation theories can be classified broadly into two different perspectives: Content and Process theories. Content Theories deal with “what” motivates people and it is concerned with individual needs and goals. Maslow, Alderfer, Herzberg and McCelland studied motivation from a “content” perspective. Process Theories deal with the “process” of motivation and is concerned with “how” motivation occurs. Vroom, Porter & Lawler, Adams and Locke studied motivation from a “process” perspective.
1. Content Theories about Motivation
Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
When motivation theory is being considered the first theory that is being recalled is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs which he has introduced in his 1943 article named as “A Theory of Human Motivation”. According to this theory, individual strives to seek a higher need when lower needs are fulfilled. Once a lower-level need is satisfied, it no longer serves as a source of motivation. Needs are motivators only when they are unsatisfied. In the first level, physiological needs exist which include the most basic needs for humans to survive, such as air, water and food. In the second level, safety needs exist which include personal security, health, well-being and safety against accidents remain. In the third level, belonging needs exit. This is where people need to feel a sense of belonging and acceptance. It is about relationships, families and friendship. Organizations fulfill this need for people. In the fourth level, self-esteem needs remain. This is where people looks to be respected and to have self-respect. Achievement needs, respect of others are in this level. In the top-level, self-actualization needs exist. This level of need pertains to realising the person’s full potential.

Alderfer’s ERG Theory
In 1969,

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Ledership

...Hierarchy of Needs Theory In the 1940s, Abraham Maslow developed his hierarchy of needs theory,45 which is based on four major assumptions: (1) Only unmet needs motivate. (2) People’s needs are arranged in order of importance (hierarchy) going from basic to c omplex needs. (3) People will not be motivated to satisfy a higher-level need unless the lower-level need(s) has been at least minimally satisfied. (4) Maslow assumed that people have five classifications of needs, which are presented here in h ierarchical order from low to high level of need. Hierarchy of Needs The hierarchy of needs theory proposes that people are motivated through five levels of needs—physiological, safety, belongingness, esteem, and self-actualization: 1. Physiological needs: These are people’s primary or basic needs: air, food, shelter, sex, and relief from or avoidance of pain. 2. Safety needs: Once the physiological needs are met, the individual is concerned with safety and security. 3. Belongingness needs: After establishing safety, people look for love, friendship, acceptance, and affection. Belongingness is also called social needs. EXHIBIT Major Motivation Theories 3.6 CLASSIFICATION OF MOTIVATION THEORIES SPECIFIC MOTIVATION THEORY 1. Content motivation theories focus on explaining and predicting behavior based on employee need motivation. A. Hierarchy of needs theory proposes that employees are motivated through five levels of need—physiological, safety, social, esteem, and self-actualization...

Words: 626 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Captain Strong’s Case Study Paper

...Captain Edith Strong Case Study Paper Brandy Alston University of Phoenix Managing Criminal Justice Personnel CJA/474 Professor Leroy Hendrix November 6, 2013 Captain Strong’s Case Study Paper Introduction Captain Edith Strong is a current watch commander in the city of Rogersville’s Field Operation Division; where she is a veteran working in law enforcement for 18 years. The city of Rogersville has a population of 101,000 individuals and the city is 65.4 square mile. Rogersville Field Operation Division mainly consisting of white men and every job is specific to every officer that goes by there own job classification systematically to do, the accurate of chain of command. Detouring from the job classification results in disciplinary conduct, more then likely a write up, the manpower in this division is at 58% in which they are responsible for 62% of the department’s workload. This division has a lieutenant that works as an assistant; there are three watch commanders who are also lieutenants, one sergeant for traffic that looks over six officers, a sergeant that works in a unit responsible for neighborhood police that looks over 10 officers, 71 patrol officers. Those officers’s assigned to special task has higher satisfaction and morale, because they are able to engage with different officer’s creating a trusting relationship. Seemingly, patrol officers are annoyed with the constant workload that led officers to by pass completing everything on their...

Words: 837 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Diversity in the Workplace

...approximately 25,000 employees; as a manufacturing and distribution organization, there is likely to be a large number of labor employees in its various locations. With such a large number of employees and labor employees, one can assume that if there is no union in place, it is possible for turnover to be high. In a research study, study shows “strong evidence that turnover is lower in heavily unionized industries and among unionized workers than in nonunionized settings” (Delery, et. al, 2000). Unions are commonly formed on the bases of compensation/pay, hours, benefits, and the opportunity to have a voice in the company; however the growing issue amongst unions is the compensation that employees receive (Hallock, 2000) The Equity Theory and Expectancy Theory play a crucial role in unionization; the...

Words: 512 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Role of Teachers in Students' Identity

...Identity is probably the most important aspect in the entire human race, everyone wanting and craving to have or at least be said to possess certain characteristics. It is in a way a state of mind for most people, created by their aspirations and the environment into which they are. The social identity theory asserts that, people always tend to put themselves as well as others into various social categories like religion, gender, age cohort and the like (Tajfel & Turner, 1985). These categories are differentiated by their different prototypical characteristics held by the members. Social classifications cognitively order and segments the social environment in a way such as to provide every individual with a method of classifying others. They also enable every individual to locate themselves and as such have a definition for one self. In light of this aspect, the social classifications answer the question who am I? Finally, social classifications equip every person with a way to identify themselves into a particular group (Davies 1995). It is of vital importance to acquire a positive identity, be it by the help of friends, parents or teacher in school. This identity is responsible for one’s success in life as it motivates one towards achieving their goals. As such, a positive identity is particularly important for young children and especially the school age. It is thus important that teachers should take charge of their students, to help them develop a positive identity and...

Words: 1026 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Job Enrichment Is Not an Exploitative Technique to Make People Work Harder.

...also contained the job enrichment related theories such as the Hackman and Oldham’s Job Characteristic Model and the Herzberg’s Two Factor Theory. Job Characteristic Model was described five core job dimensions leading to three critical psychological states, resulting in work-related outcomes. They were identified as skill variety, task identity, task significance autonomy and feedback. Final outcomes should be identified as; job satisfaction, employee motivation, low absenteeism, high performance and low employee turnover. Herzberg’s Two Factor Theory was completely different type of model which discussed about hygiene factors and motivation factors. According to Herzberg, intrinsic motivators such as challenging work, recognition, and responsibility produce employee satisfaction. At the same time absence of extrinsic hygiene factors such as including status, job security, salary, and fringe benefits produce dissatisfaction. The advantages and disadvantages of job enrichment program were evaluated based on different criteria’s. According to Cunningham and Eberle (1990), prior to a job enrichment program there were 3 questions which needs to be asked. They were do employees need jobs that involve responsibility, variety, feedback, challenge, accountability, significance, and opportunities to learn, What techniques can be implemented without changing the job classification plan, What techniques would require changes in the job classification plan. By...

Words: 2661 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

Work

...What is Research? - Systematic enquiry aimed at providing information to solve problems (to guide business decisions) - Research entails carrying out of a diligent inquiry/a critical examination of a given phenomenon – hence exhaustive study, investigation or experimentation following some logical sequence - Research involves a critical analysis of existing conclusion or theories with regard to newly discovered facts – thus continued search for new knowledge and understandilg of the world. - Process of arriving at an effective solutions to problems thus systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of data. - A voyage of discovery; A journey; An attitude; An experience; A method of critical thinking; A careful critical enquiry in seeking facts for principles - An art of scientific investigation o Scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic o Process of arriving at dependable solutions to problems through the planned and systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of data - A systematized effort to gain new knowledge; A movement from the known to the unknown o Search for (new) knowledge/ facts through objective, systematic and scientific method of finding solution to a problem o Implicit question + Explicit answer + data to answer the question o Not synonymous with commonsense, but systematic, objective (purposeful), reproducible, relevant activity having control over some factors - An activity caused by instinct...

Words: 805 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Selective Attention Theory Essay

...displayed that some people become objectively stimulated by intimidating stimulants, correlated to sensual and aggressive initiatives, although they were incapable to intentionally recognize the prompts (Rofé, 2008). Selective attention research proved that when a respondent is threatened with intimidating incentives at the threshold stage, escaping methods, for example, closing the eyes or looking somewhere else are deliberately utilized to dismiss its affective handling beyond the iconic period of recollection (Rofé, 2008). Consequently, the observer is conscious of the difficult substance for a part of a second prior to becoming enduringly misplaced from recall (Rofé, 2008). What are some of the theorist that support selective attention theory and the results?...

Words: 845 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Motivation

...Explain the motivation process and the three factors affecting performance. 2. Describe four content motivation theories. 3. Describe two process motivation theories. 4. State how reinforcement is used to increase performance. 5. List the four steps in the model for giving praise. 6. Identify the four parts of the model for writing objectives. 7. Explain the three steps of managing by objectives. 8. State ways to enrich, design, and simplify jobs. 9. Explain possible limitations of using motivation theories outside North America. 10. Define the following 16 key terms (in order of appearance in the chapter): motivation performance formula content motivation theories needs hierarchy two-factor theory manifest needs theory process motivation theories expectancy theory CHAPTER OUTLINE The Importance of Motivation What Is Motivation and Why Is It Important? How Motivation Affects Behavior, Human Relations, and Performance Copyright © 2008 by The McGraw-Hill Companies. All rights reserved. equity theory reinforcement theory giving praise objectives management by objectives (MBO) job enrichment job design job simplification Content Motivation Theories Schedules of Reinforcement Organizational Reinforcement for Getting Employees to Come to Work and to Be on Time Motivation Techniques Giving Praise Needs Hierarchy Objectives and MBO ERG Theory Job Enrichment Two-factor Theory Job Design Manifest Needs Theory Putting...

Words: 20849 - Pages: 84

Premium Essay

Performance Evaluation of Selectedprivate Commercial Banks in Bangladesh

...NATIONAL UNIVERSITY Syllabus Department of Management Detailed Syllabus Second Year Four-Year B.B.A. (Honours) Course Effective from the Session : 2009–2010 National University Syllabus for 4 years B. B. A. Honours Course Subject : Management Second Year (Honours) |Subject Code |Subject Title |Marks |Credit | | |Business Communication and Report Writing (In English) |100 |4 | | |Computer and Information Technology |100 |4 | | |Taxation in Bangladesh |100 |4 | | |Business Statistics (In English) |100 |4 | | |Macro Economics |100 |4 | | |Human Resource Management |100 |4 | | |Viva-Voce |100 |4 | | |Total = ...

Words: 2520 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

Leadership

...employee morale and motivation. Ordinary people who do extra-ordinary things. Employee Asset :  Employee Asset People can be the biggest asset of a company or it can be the biggest liability. Customer is the king – customer satisfaction is the priority. Employees first, followed by customers and then the share holders Majority of the companies in India measure this asset on the profitability of the company A Good Leader :  A Good Leader Has foresight Has influence Has representative role playing. Communicates properly. Commands trust and confidence. Commands attention and respect. Helps to achieve task objectives. Has concern for needs of his group. Sensitive to the task, people and environment. Builds team and become model. Ability and skill to manage the team. Ability to take decisions. Theories of Leadership :  Theories of Leadership “Great man” theories – inherent – great leaders are born, not made. Trait Theories – inherent qualities- traits Contingency Theories – environmental, style, qualities of followers, and situation. Situational Theories – best course of action for situation. Behavioural Theories – great leaders are made, not born. Theory focuses on actions. Theories of Leadership :  Theories of Leadership Participative Theories – participation and contributions from group members. Management Theories - Transactional Theories – supervision, organization and group performance. Reward and Punishment. Relationship Theories – Transformational Theories – connections...

Words: 1858 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Strategic Management, C Orporate Responsibility and S Takeholder Management Integrating Corporate Responsibility Principles and Stakeholder Approaches I Nto Mainstream Strategy: a Stakeholder-Oriented and I Ntegrative Strategic M Anagement Framework

...purpose of this article is to establish a strategic management framework that supports the integration of corporate social responsibility principles and stakeholder approaches into mainstream business strategy. Design/methodology/approach – A top-down and bottom-up approach was used to develop the proposed framework. The top-down approach focused on analyzing the main strategic management theories including social responsibility movements to identify complementary concepts and create a relevant topology. The bottom-up approach was based on empirical research on the views of business companies on corporate social responsibility, a review of best practices and case studies mainly in Greece. Findings – The paper describes a stakeholder-oriented integrative strategic management framework linking the main strategic management theories across value, responsiveness and responsibility dimensions. A mathematical model is presented describing the synergistic development of advantage-creating knowledge and advantage-creating stakeholder relations in accordance with the criteria of the resource-based theory. Research limitations/implications – The proposed management framework is based on the results of research projects and is not fully developed and tested. The approach will be refined, exploiting results from ongoing research including further empirical research and testing in business...

Words: 7389 - Pages: 30

Free Essay

Motivation

...Motivation and Demotivation Situations Introduction: Motivation plays a huge role in an Organization’s growth and it can be regarded as one of the dimensions for Sustainable Organizational growth. Having a constant motivation level in an individual in an Organization is not possible, however, with better Organization Culture it is possible to instill maximum motivation in an individual for better performance leading to Organization’s sustained success. In this paper the author analyzes his motivation and demotivation situations and how the author was able to motivate a demotivated person in the Organization and mapping the variables to various popular motivational model thought during the Course and other sources of reference. Literature Review: Motivation is a process that accounts for an individual’s intensity, direction and persistence of effort toward attaining a goal in an Organization. There are several theories formulated on Motivation and each has its pros and cons. Some of the early theories formulated are: • Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs which comprises physiology, safety, social, esteem and self-actualization in which, as each need is substantially satisfied the next need becomes dominant. These five needs are separated into higher and lower order needs with physiology and safety part of lower order needs and social, esteem and self-actualization part of higher order needs. • Theory X and Theory Y, proposed by Douglas McGregor is a classification of two...

Words: 1373 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Multitech Assignment

...0012 Senior Government Managers and Officials Senior government managers and officials plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate, through middle managers, the major activities of municipal or regional governments or of provincial, territorial or federal departments, boards, agencies or commissions. They establish the direction to be taken by these organizations in accordance with legislation and policies made by elected representatives or legislative bodies. Example Titles assistant deputy minister chairperson, Human Rights Commission chief administrative officer – regional municipality chief statistician – government services city administrator deputy minister director general – government services executive director – government services high commissioner View all titles Main duties Senior government managers and officials perform some or all of the following duties: * Establish objectives for the organization in accordance with government legislation and policy, formulate or approve and evaluate programs and procedures alone or in conjunction with senior government committees * Advise elected representatives on policy questions and refer any major policy matters to these representatives for final decision * Recommend, review, evaluate and approve documents, briefs and reports submitted by middle managers and senior staff members * Ensure appropriate systems and procedures are developed and implemented to provide budgetary control *...

Words: 11296 - Pages: 46

Premium Essay

Aaaaaa

... RECOGNITION AND MOTIVATION AT AN INSURANCE COMPANY IN THE WESTERN CAPE by ROSHAN LEVINA ROBERTS Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of MAGISTER COMMERCI in the DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL PSYCHOLOGY at the UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE SUPERVISOR: KARL HESLOP NOVEMBER 2005 ABSTRACT Increasingly, organisations are realising that they have to establish an equitable balance between the employee’s contribution to the organisation and the organisation’s contribution to the employee. Establishing this balance is one of the main reasons to reward and recognise employees. Organisations that follow a strategic approach to creating this balance focus on the three main components of a reward system, which includes, compensation, benefits and recognition (Deeprose, 1994). Studies that have been conducted on the topic indicates that the most common problem in organisations today is that they miss the important component of recognition, which is the low-cost, high-return ingredient to a well-balanced reward system. A key focus of recognition is to make employees feel appreciated and valued (Sarvadi, 2005). Research has proven that employees who get recognised tend to have higher self-esteem, more confidence, more willingness to take on new challenges and more eagerness to be innovative (Mason, 2001). The aim of this study is to investigate whether rewards and recognition has an impact on employee motivation. A biographical and...

Words: 29080 - Pages: 117

Free Essay

Cognitive Theory

...Foundations of Cognitive Theory Elizabeth Caldwell Excelsior College Abstract Cognitive-learning theories explore the complexity of the mind from the perspective of how the mind processes information. The paper will discuss the history of cognitive-learning theories and how they shaped the way one perceives, organizes, stores, and retrieves information. The main focus will be on Jean Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, however, it will include theorists such as Wilhelm Wundt, William James, Edward Tolman and Frederic Bartlett. It will start off with the definition of cognitive theory and move on to the history of psychological theorists, ending with the conclusion. Keywords: Defining Cognitive Theory Cognitive theory is an approach to psychology that attempts to explain human behavior by understanding the thought processes (Fritscher, 2014). The main facet of cognitive theory involves the communications between mental components and the information that is processed through this intricate system. As individuals learn, they vigorously generate cognitive arraignments which determine their perceptions of environment and self. Concepts of Cognitive Theorists Cognitive theorists think that learning consists of the incorporation of events into an operating storage system contained within the organizational structures called schemata. This concept of schemata was introduced by Frederic C. Bartlett in the early 1930’s. We will discuss more about Frederic C. Bartlett...

Words: 2173 - Pages: 9