About Motivational Theories

Throughout history, a number of psychological geniuses have developed various motivational theories. Many are still widely used to this day for various purposes, especially in the workplace.

Frederic Herzberg

Frederic Herzberg's motivational theory stated that there are two main types of motivational dynamics. In the workplace, the first type involves wages, the work environment, and approaches. The second type involves self gratification.

Abraham Maslow

Abraham Maslow's motivational theory is based on his famous Hierarchy of Needs. It encourages employers to create work environments that allow employees to carry out their distinctive potential, resulting in premium performance. This theory remains popular in the workplace today.

Clayton Alderfer

Clayton Alderfer's ERG Theory was a revision of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, narrowing the number of needs down to three: existence, which is distress regarding fundamental material motivators; relatedness, which is motivation for sustaining interpersonal relationships; and growth, which is needed for personal development. Alderfer believed that those who could not meet all three of these needs would eventually regress.

David McClelland

David McClelland's Need for Achievement Theory states that a person's specific needs are built up and defined over a period of time. It is also based on the experiences they have had throughout their lives. They fall into one of three categories: achievement, affiliation or power. The degree to which people are motivated and the efficiency with which they perform their jobs are subject to these things.

Victor Vroom

Victor Vroom's Expectancy theory of motivation does not focus on desires or needs, but instead on results. Vroom's theory is that the ultimate motivation requires a perfect union of performance, determination and effort. Egotism is not the main motivator here, but instead the final outcome.

Resources

• Psychology Today