Content Theories Flashcards
What are content theories and how are they different to process theories?
Content theories focus on WHAT motivates people, whereas process theories focus on the PROCESSES through which people are motivated
What are the FOUR content theories?
1) Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
2) McClelland’s achievement motivation
3) McGregor’s view of man
4) Hezberg’s two factor theory
What is the order of 1)?
Maslow’s theory of motivation (1954) comprises of a hierarchy of needs in ascending order:
- PHYSIOLOGICAL - essentials for survival
- SAFETY - security and protection against danger
- SOCIAL - fulfil need for belonging, love and affection
- ESTEEM - need for respect from self and others
- SELF-ACTUALISATION - need for self fulfilment, striving to realise one’s full potential.
How useful is 1) for providing a management tool for the motivation of individuals in the workplace?
- The theory was not tailored to be applicable in industry
- Needs can be satisfied elsewhere from the workplace
What were the characteristics shared from 2)?
McClelland (1961) studied achievement orientated people, and shared the following characteristics:
- PREFERENCE of performing tasks with a SOLE RESPONSIBILITY to identify closely with success of their outcomes.
- MODERATE RISK TAKERS that apply attainable goals to maximise success
- CONTINUAL FEEDBACK to gain knowledge of their success and achieve satisfaction
What were the conclusions from 2) and how useful was it for providing a management tool for the motivation of individuals in the workplace?
- under achievement comes from parental influence, education, cultural background and the value systems dominant in society.
- Organisations may be concerned with selecting high achievers as managers and therefore low achievers could be trained to develop a greater urge to achieve.
What are the name of the two theories outlined in 3)?
Theory X, the economic man view and theory Y, the social man view
What are the assumptions of Theory X?
- people only work for money
- average person dislikes work and will avoid it wherever possible
- people must be coerced, controlled, directed and threatened with punishment
- most people avoid responsibility
What were the conclusions from Theory X and how useful was it for providing a management tool for the motivation of individuals in the workplace?
Management of organisations need to realise that individuals require other motives other than just financial
What are the assumptions of Theory Y?
- people seek self fulfilment
- average person does NOT dislike work as it SATISFIES
- people can exercise their own self-direction and control at work
- satisfy high order needs as well as low order needs
- keen to accept responsibility and capable of creativity
- average person not utilised to full potential
What were the conclusions from Theory Y and how useful was it for providing a management tool for the motivation of individuals in the workplace?
If management can create a work environment where individuals can realise their higher order needs, it will increase performance.
What are the two factors discussed in 4)?
Hygiene factors and motivator factors
What factors are within factor 1)
- salaries, wages, benefits
- company policy and administration
- good inter-personal relationships
- quality of supervision
- job security
- working conditions
- work/life balance
What factors are within factor 2?
- sense of personal achievement
- status
- recognition
- challenging/stimulating work
- responsibility
- opportunity for advancement
- promotion
- growth
What do these two factors result in (individually)?
1) General satisfaction
Prevention of dissatisfaction
2) High motivation
High satisfaction
Strong commitment
