1. Theories of Motivation
What is motivation theory?
Motivation is a theoretical construct used to
explain behavior. It represents the reasons for people's
actions, desires, and needs.
Example:
When someone eats food to satisfy the need of hunger, or when a student
does his/her work in school because he/she wants a good grade. Both show a
similar connection between what we do and why we do it.
Classification of Motivation Theories (Content vs.
Process)
Motivationtheories canbe classifiedinto two different perspectives:
Content and Process theories.
Content Theories deal with “what” motivates people and it is concerned with
individual needs and goals. Maslow, Alderfer, Herzberg and McClelland
studied motivation from a “content” perspective. Process Theories deal with
the “process” of motivation and is concerned with “how” motivation occurs.
1. Content Theories about Motivation
Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

2. According to this theory, individual strives to seeka higher need when
lower needs are fulfilled.Once a lower-level needis satisfied,it no
longer serves as a source of motivation.Needs are motivators only when
they are unsatisfied.
 In the first level, physiological needs exist which include the most basic
needs for humans to survive, such as air, water and food.
 In the second level, safety needs exist which include personal security,
health, well-being and safety against accidents remain.
 In the third level, belonging needs exit. This is where people need to feel a
sense of belonging and acceptance. It is about relationships, families and
friendship. Organizations fulfill this need for people.
 In the fourth level, self-esteem needs remain. This is where people looks
to be respected and to have self-respect. Achievement needs, respect of
others are in this level.
 In the top-level, self-actualization needs exist. This level of need pertains
to realising the person’s full potential.

Alderfer’s ERG Theory:

3. In 1969, ClaytonP. Alderfer,simplifiedMaslow’s theory by categorizing
hierarchy of needs into three categories:
 Physiological and Safety needs are merged in Existence Needs,
 Belonging needs is named asRelatedness Needs,
 Self-esteem and Self-actualization needs are merged in Growth Needs
Herzberg’s Two Factor Theory:
FrederickHerzberg, introducedhis Two Factor Theory in 1959. He
suggestedthat there are two kinds of factors affect motivation,and they
do it in different ways:
1) Hygiene factors:
A series of hygiene factors create dissatisfaction if individuals
perceive them as inadequate or inequitable, yet individuals will not be
significantly motivated if these factors are viewed as adequate or
good.

4. 2) Motivators:
They are intrinsic factors such as sense of achievement, recognition,
responsibility, and personal growth.
2 .Process Theories about Motivation
Expectancy Theory:
Expectancy Theory argues that humans act according to their conscious
expectations that a particular behavior will lead to specific desirable
goals.
Three components of Expectancy theory are:
1 .Expectancy:
The belief of the person that her/his effort will result in attainment of
desired performance goals.
2 .Instrumentality:
The belief of the person that she/he will receive a reward if the
performance expectation is met.
3 .Valence:
The value of the reward according to the person. (e.g. Is the reward
attractive to the person?

5. Goal Theory:
Edwin Locke proposedGoal Theory in 1968, which proposes that
motivationand performance will be high if individuals are set specific
goals which are challenging, but accepted, and where feedback is given
on performance.
The two most important findings of this theory are:
1. Setting specific goals Generates higher levels of performance than setting
general goals.
2. The goals that are hard to achieve are linearly and positively connected to
performance. The harder the goal, the more a person will work to reach it.
Adams’ Equity Theory:
Developed by John Stacey Adams in 1963, Equity Theory suggests that if
the individual perceives that the rewards receivedare equitable, that is,
fair or just in comparisonwiththose receivedby others in similar
positions in or outside the organization,then the individual feels
satisfied.