Maslow Motivation Theory

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Motivation Theories: Maslow, Herzberg, Alderfer, and McClelland While Maslow’s Human Motivation Theory has been highly influential in motivating individuals in a variety of settings, several other theorists have increased understanding of human motivation as it relates to behavior and performance, especially in the workplace. Theories proposed by Maslow, Herzberg, Alderfer and McClelland have been adopted in a variety of settings to help employers better understand the needs and motivators that drive performance. While there are similarities in how human needs and motivators are described, there are also significant distinctions between how needs are categorized and how these theories explain individual progression through and between them. …show more content…

In Maslow’s view, “every drive is related to the state of satisfaction or dissatisfaction of other drives” (1943, p. 370). Maslow’s hierarchy is typically represented as a pyramid, with lower order needs at the bottom and higher order needs at the top. This reflects the relationship of each need to the others, with the most important category being the physiological needs at the base (Redmond, 2010). The basic level includes physiological needs such as oxygen, food, and sleep, as well as safety and security needs such as shelter, order, routine, and protection from anything that might cause harm. Maslow’s higher order needs include social needs such as friendship and community, esteem needs such as recognition and status, and self-actualization needs represented by personal growth and the ability to fulfill one’s potential. According to Maslow, the basic level needs have greater “prepotency”, or more power to influence human behavior. In terms of motivation, his theory suggests that satisfaction of one need allows the emergence of a need that is next in the hierarchy. Multiple motivations can drive behavior, and the motivation to satisfy needs is often not consciously undertaken (Maslow,

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