Motivational Theories

Several theories and authors include motivational factors in their work. The most well-known theory associated with motivation is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Maslow suggests individuals have five different sets of needs. The needs are listed in chronological order based on needs: Physiological needs, Safety needs, Love and belongings needs, Esteem needs, and Need for self-actualization (Ormond, 2008). “When two or more of these needs are unmet, people tend to satisfy them in a particular sequence” (Ormond, 2008).

Maslow’s Heirachy of Needs

Reversal Theory

The Reversal theory is one of the motivational frameworks that examine the human’s subjective experience and behavior (Sit & Lidner, 2006).

Frederick Herzberg’s motivation and hygiene factors

Frederick Herzberg was considered one of the greatest original thinkers of motivational theory. Herzberg published his first theory about motivation in 1959. The main significance of Herzberg’s theory suggests satisfaction and dissatisfaction at work is stimulated from different factors rather than the same factors as previously assumed (Chapman, 2010).

Please click here and here to see Herzberg’s motivator and hygiene factors.

Alderfer's ERG theory

Clayton Alderfer developed the ERG theory based on the work of Maslow. The ERG theory has three main components : Existence, Relatedness, and Growth. The theory is heirachial that extistence needs take priority over relatedness, and relatedness has priority over growth. Unlike Maslow's theory, different levels of needs can be accomplished simultaneously (Internet Center for Management and Buisness Adminstration, 2010).

Comparsion of Theories



References

Chapman, A. (2010).Frederick Herzberg’s motivational theory. Retrieved from

       http://www.businessballs.com/herzberg.htm

Internet Center for Management and Buisness Adminstration. (2010). ERG theory.Retrieved from

       http://www.netmba.com/mgmt/ob/motivation/erg/

Ormond, J. (2008). Human learning (5th edtion). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson

Sit, C., & Linder, K. (2006). Situational state balances and participation motivation

       in youth sport. Retrieved from

       http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16719969