Motivational Theories Flashcards
What is a theory?
A theory is a group of ideas that explain something using general principles independent of the thing being explained
What is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs theory?
It is a theory that labels and categorizes the different needs a person requires in their life for fulfillment and motivation
List the Needs in order from bottom to top
Level 1: Physiological Level 2: Safety Level 3: Love/Belonging Level 4: Esteem Level 5: Self-Actualization
Explain each Need in Maslow’s Theory
Physiological: is the basic survival needs, food, water, and shelter
Safety: is the emotional and physical security that is experienced in day-to-day life
Love/Belonging: is the natural reaction of wanting to fit in and to have good relationships with others
Esteem: is the need to feel like you are contributing to a higher goal than your own goals. It is the recognition that comes with contributing to a higher goal.
Self-Actualization: is the feeling that what your doing in your life is right and that you’re doing the best you can every day
Explain what Alderfer’s ERG Theory of Motivation is
Alderfer’s theory is a similar but simplified and more flexible version of Maslow’s theory.
What are the three simplified needs of Alderfer’s theory?
Existence, Relatedness, and Growth
Explain each need in Alderfer’s theory
Existence: is the basic things a human needs to function in daily life, food, water, shelter, good health, safety
Relatedness: is the need to relate to other people and the need to have relationships with others
Growth: is the need for personal development, meaningful work, and to be creative
What are the differences present when Alderfer’s theory is compared to Maslow’s theory?
In Alderfer’s theory any need can be pursued at any time and Alderfer’s theory allows for needs to be pursued in any order, unlike Maslow’s sequential
What is the Frustration-Regression principle?
It is a principle in Alderfer’s ERG theory. It states that if a need can not be met, a person may go back to another need and fulfill it more.
What is Herzberg’s Two Factor Principle theory?
It is a theory that states that there are factors called Motivators that increase job satisfaction and factors called Hygienes. These factors act independently of each other and can not affect the others results
What are some Motivating Factors?
Achievement, Recognition, Responsibility, the work itself, and the potential for personal growth
What are some Hygiene Factors?
Working Conditions, Salary, Coworker Relations, Polices and Rules, and the quality of the management
Explain what McClelland’s Theory of Needs is
It is a theory that explains how different people’s motivations fall into three categories, which are the Need for Power, Need for Affiliation, and Need for Achievement,
Explain each Need in McClelland’s Theory
Need for Power: these people desire power and influence above everything else. They understand that to achieve a goal, you must be able to control and influence the people around you.
Need for Affiliation: these people want friendship and want to be accepted. Their decisions are heavily influenced by how others react to them and how it affects their own image
Need for Achievement: these people are solely focused on setting goals and achieving them. Their one downside is that they put their own achievements first
What is Locke’s Goal Setting Theory?
It is a theory that explains how to motivate people through setting goals. It states that if the goal is difficult and specific, then the person will be more motivated to achieve it
