Motivation Theorists

Question 1

What are content theories?

Answer 1

These deal with what motivates employees. They aim to identify a persons individual needs and then use motivations to fulfil those needs.

Question 2

What are process theories?

Answer 2

These deal with the process of motivation and how motivation occurs

Question 3

Who are the 9 theorists we learn about?

Answer 3

Frederick Taylor
Elton Mayo
David McClelland
Frederick Herzberg
Abraham Maslow
Victor Vroom
Peter Drucker
Edwin Locke
Tom Peters

Question 4

Who created the scientific theory and what is it?

Answer 4

Frederick Taylor
The theory that money is the key motivator (pay by piece rate) and that motivational factors can be replicated in most situations.

Question 5

What was the importance of Elton Mayo’s theory?

Answer 5

First theorist to take psychological factors into motivation

Question 6

What were Mayo’s conclusions from his work?

Answer 6

The workplace is a social system
A sense of recognition is important
Communication impact productivity
Employees respond to changes in work environments

Question 7

Who are the theorists most commonly associated with content theory?

Answer 7

McClelland
Herzberg
Maslow

Question 8

What is McClelland’s theory also known as?

Answer 8

The three needs theory

Question 9

What are the three needs of McClelland’s theory?

Answer 9

Achievement
Affiliation
Power

Question 10

What is Herzberg’s theory also knows as?

Answer 10

The two-factor theory

Question 11

What are the factors to Herzberg’s theory?

Answer 11

The hygiene factors

The motivating factors

Question 12

What does Herzberg suggest about hygiene factors?

Answer 12

Good hygiene does not increase motivation but poor hygiene results in a decrease in motivation

Question 13

What does Herzberg say about motivating factors?

Answer 13

Jobs need to be designed with responsibility, recognition, meaningful work, and the opportunity for promotion in mind in combination with hygiene factors to produce a motivated workforce

Question 14

What is Maslow’s theory also known as?

Answer 14

The hierarchy of needs

Question 15

What are the five levels of the hierarchy of needs? (From peak to base)

Answer 15

Self-actualisation (fulfilling your potential)
Esteem
Social
Safety
Physiological (basic needs e.g. Food, shelter, water)

Question 16

How are the levels of the hierarchy of needs related?

Answer 16

One level cannot be reached until all layers below it have been satisfied

Question 17

What is Victor Vroom’s theory also known as?

Answer 17

Expectancy theory

Question 18

How does Vroom suggest valence and expectancy are linked?

Answer 18

Force (motivation) = valence x expectancy x instrumentality

All three factors can have a value between 0 and 1
1 being high, 0 being low

Question 19

What is valence?

Answer 19

This refers to the value that an employee puts on the reward that is on offer

Question 20

What is expectancy in relation to Vroom’s expectancy theory?

Answer 20

Whether the employee thinks that they are actually going to be able to complete the task/achieve a target

Question 21

What does Peter Drucker say are the most important factors if managers want a motivated workforce?

Answer 21

Decentralised and delayered structure
Taking interest in their employees valuing their contribution
Offer ongoing training
Try to create a workplace community where social needs can be met
Keeping a sense of perspective when it comes to personal reward

Question 22

In Edwin Locke’s goal setting theory, what are the factors a manager must take into account when setting goals?

Answer 22

Clarity
Challenge
Feedback
Commitment
Task complexity

Question 23

What did Tom Peters say executives were obsessed with?

Answer 23

Numbers
Bureaucracy
Control

Question 24

What did Tom Peters say mattered to a business’ success?

Answer 24

People
Customers
Action