What are some models of motivation discussed in the class?
Explain any two of the models discussed in the class.
Answers
Answer:
Motivation is a state-of-mind, filled with energy and enthusiasm, which drives a person to work in a certain way to achieve desired goals. Motivation is a force which pushes a person to work with high level of commitment and focus even if things are against him. Motivation translates into a certain kind of human behaviour.
Explanation:
1. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
Abraham Maslow postulated that a person will be motivated when his needs are fulfilled. The need starts from the lowest level basic needs and keeps moving up as a lower level need is fulfilled. Below is the hierarchy of needs:
Physiological: Physical survival necessities such as food, water, and shelter.
Safety: Protection from threats, deprivation, and other dangers.
Social (belongingness and love): The need for association, affiliation, friendship, and so on.
Self-esteem: The need for respect and recognition.
Self-actualization: The opportunity for personal development, learning, and fun/creative/challenging work. Self-actualization is the highest level need to which a human being can aspire.Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
The leader will have to understand the specific need of every individual in the team and accordingly work to help fulfil their needs.
2. Hertzberg’s two factor theory
Hertzberg classified the needs into two broad categories namely hygiene factors and motivating factors.
Hertzberg’s two factor theory
Hygiene factors are needed to make sure that an employee is not dissatisfied. Motivation factors are needed for ensuring employee's satisfaction and employee’s motivation for higher performance. Mere presence of hygiene factors does not guarantee motivation, and presence of motivation factors in the absence of hygiene factors also does not work.
McGregor’s theory X and theory Y
Douglas McGregor formulated two distinct views of human being based on participation of workers. The first is basically negative, labelled as Theory X, and the other is basically positive, labelled as Theory Y. Both kinds of people exist. Based on their nature they need to be managed accordingly.
Theory X: The traditional view of the work force holds that workers are inherently lazy, self-centred, and lacking ambition. Therefore, an appropriate management style is strong, top-down control.
Theory Y: This view postulates that workers are inherently motivated and eager to accept responsibility. An appropriate management style is to focus on creating a productive work environment coupled with positive rewards and reinforcement.