Although alderfer does not disagree with maslows hierarchy of needs completely, he does not agree with all of them. Jan 22, 2018 browse the definition and meaning of more terms similar to erg theory alderfer. A critical evaluation of maslow and erg theory business essay. This article explains the erg theory by clayton alderfer in a practical way. Theory of motivation was published by clayton paul alderfer as a further extension of maslows pyramid of needs. Compare and contrast clayton paul alderfers erg theory of. Needs are physiological or psychological scarcities that stimulate behavior therefore are necessary to live a healthy, productive lives both in personal and work lives. The erg theory talks about three levels of needs and is based on maslows needs hierarchy which proposes 5 levels of needs.
The e, r and g of erg theory stand for existence, relatedness and growth the three sets of needs which are the focus of this alternative theory of human needs in organizations. While they both serve a purpose in understanding the human mind and have similarities, they approach the subject of mental illness from two completely different perspectives. But how will we determine which of the three needs is more important to that person. In a reaction to the famous hierarchy of needs by maslow, alderfer distinguishes three categories of human needs that influence workers behavior. After reading you will understand the basics of this powerful motivation theory introduction. This theory says that an individual can satisfy any of the three needs first. Understanding how maslow, alderfer and herzberg are interrelated. Alderfer further developed maslows hierarchy of needs by categorizing the hierarchy into his erg theory existence, relatedness and growth. Existence needs these include need for basic material. The erg theory, proposed by clayton alderfer in 1969, seeks to rank human needs in a hierarchy. Alderfers research has indicated some degree of support. Alderfer s erg theory is a simplified version of maslows hierarchy of needs that suggests that all human needs can be accessed and satisfied simultaneously, rather than from the bottom up. Unlike maslow, he did not see these as being a hierarchy, but being more of a continuum.
The erg theory does not offer clear cut guidelines. Personalities theory activity psychodynamic theory and humanistic theory are two of the five major theories of psychology. Like the needsgoal theory, motivation strength is determined by the perceived value of the result of performing a behavior and the perceived probability that the behavior performed will cause the result to materialize. In other words, all students try their hardest, complete assignments on time, and seem eager to learn. Read this article to learn about the alderfers erg theory of motivation, its advantages and limitations. The day to day operation of the college seems to run smoothly, however, from verbal interaction with colleagues it seems that although communication is constant. Relevance of theories of motivation in retail business. The name erg stands for the three needs that alderfer identifies in his theory.
Therefore, the necessary order as proposed by abraham maslow no longer applies. Existence needs include all material and physiological desires e. Clayton paul alderfer september 1, 1940 october 30, 2015 was an american psychologist and consultant known for further developing maslows hierarchy of needs. Erg theory shows that a person works on fulfilling these needs simultaneously or separately depending on the difference of goals, status, and the environment. Theories reflecting my personal experience and life development. The starting point for the development of this theory is maslows hierarchy of needs which he further expanded into the erg theory based on empirical research 19661989. Clayton alderfer revised maslows hierarchy theory is known as erg theory. Alderfers erg theory suggests that there are three groups of core needs.
The erg theory is based on the work of maslow, so it has much. Erg theory by clayton alderfer, a great motivation theory. The erg word is derived from the first letters of each. The theory is traced from its outgrowth of maslows. Erg theory of motivation is the condensed form of maslows hierarchy of needs. Difference between maslow need hierarchy theory and alderfers erg theory erg theory states that at a given point of time, more than one need may be operational. He recategorized maslows hierarchy of needs into three simpler and broader classes of needs.
In this article, alderfer reduced the number of needs that humans experience from 5 to three. Argues, as maslow did, that people do have needs, that those needs are arranged in a hierarchy and that needs are important determinants. Although there is some evidence to counter the theorys predictive value, most contemporary analysis of work motivation tends to support alderfers theory over maslows and herzbergs. Alderfers erg theory from 1969 condenses maslows five human needs into three categories. All about alderfers theory of human needs erg theory 12manage. Contrary to maslows theory, according to clayton alderfer s erg theory, different needs categories can be satisfied simultaneously. The theory was developed by clayton paul alderfer, an american psychologist, and consultant, between the 60s and the 70s, based on the empirical study conducted at a factory in easton, pennsylvania. Give an example of how the erg theory could be used. Born in sellersville, pennsylvania, alderfer obtained his ba in psychology in 1962 at yale university, where he also obtained his phd in. Get an answer for give an example of how the erg theory could be used to explain someones motivation to work in a job. Convergent and discriminant validation of these measures has been reported alderfer, 1967.
The alternative theory is based on a threefold conceptualization of human needs. Erg theory to address some of the limitations of maslows hierarchy as a theory of motivation, clayton alderfer proposed the erg theory, which like maslows theory, describes needs as a hierarchy. Pdf the individual and the organization researchgate. Thursday i could have a half a day off on friday motivated me immensely. An american psychologist clayton paul alderfer had proposed this theory and believed that each need carries some value and hence. Pdf an empirical study of the existence, relatedness, and growth. These groups align with maslows levels of physiological needs, social needs, and selfactualization needs, respectively. Alderfers erg theory is the extension of maslows needs hierarchy, wherein the maslows five needs are categorized into three categories, viz. Comparing maslow, alderfer, and mcclelland most theories of motivation revolve around the idea an employees needs influence their motivation. The erg theory alderfer, 1969 is an extension of maslows hierarchy of needs. Many academics have examined various theories with respect to satisfying needs and motivation.
Mccelland, two factor theory of herzberg and erg theory of alderfer are the most famous content theories. Alderfer has tried to rebuild the hierarchy of needs of maslow into another model named erg, i. Alderfer, in which he distinguishes three categories of human needs that influence workers behavior. The existence group is concerned with providing the basic material existence requirements of humans. How the erg theory of motivation changes our perception of needs. The management dictionary covers over 7000 business concepts from 6 categories. Erg theory also shows that if the fulfillment of a higherlevel need is subdued, there is an increase in desire for satisfying a lowerlevel need. Alderfers theory of motivation, sometimes also threefactor theory or abbreviated erg existence, relatedness and growth is a theory dealing with the motivation of people. Maslows theory of human motivation and alderfers conception.
Erg theory also shows that if the fulfilment of a higherlevel need is subdued, there is an increase in desire for satisfying a lowerlevel need. Clayton alderfer abpp 1940 is an american psychologist, speaker, writer, entrepreneur, consultant and scholar. Existence needs physiological and safety needs relatedness needs involvement. Erg motivation theory and implications for managers pmi. While they both serve a purpose in understanding the human mind and have similarities, they approach the subject of mental. Alderfer, who developed the erg theory that categorized human motivation based on existence, relatedness, and growth. Alderfer s erg theory of motivation imagine a classroom where motivation is not an issue. They can be linked and crossreferenced although each theory can challenge the others complete findings. The erg need theory developed by alderfer, condenses the five needs given by maslow into three needs. History of management theoryhuman relations movement. Jan 09, 2018 erg theory of motivation is the condensed form of maslows hierarchy of needs. Erg theory is a theory of human needs and motivation by clayton p.
Maslows idea of the needs being an active motivator is true and yes alderfer agreed but i believe that alderfer took it a step further. The motivation theories of maslow hierarchy of needs, alderfer erg model and herzberg twofactor theory are closely related. Browse the definition and meaning of more terms similar to erg theory alderfer. Since the need hierarchy theory of abraham maslow is being the core of study, this theory is dealt in detail in chapter i11 separately. Empirical tests of differential predictions among maslows theory, the simple frustration. Erg motivation theory alderfer employee motivation. Existence needs physiological and safety needs relatedness needs involvement with family, friends, coworkers and employers. He fit maslows interpersonal love and esteem needs into the relatedness category. Erg theory of motivation to bring maslows need hierarchy theory of motivation in synchronization with empirical research, clayton alderfer redefined it in his own terms. An empirical test of a new theory of human needs sciencedirect. Clayton alderfers erg theory, process theories of motivation. Alderfers erg theory is a simplified version of maslows hierarchy of needs that suggests that all human needs can be accessed and satisfied simultaneously, rather than from the bottom up.
Pdf on may 5, 2009, j r reagan and others published the individual and the organization find, read. The second issue that is apparent is that the object that motivates the workers is not universal across the surveyed countries and varies significantly depending on country. The motivation theories of maslow hierarchy of needs, alderfer erg model and herzberg twofactor theory are closely related they can be linked and crossreferenced although each theory can challenge the others complete findings. Article information, pdf download for theories reflecting my personal experience and life.
The starting point for the development of this theory is maslows hierarchy of needs which he further expanded into the erg theory based on empirical research 19661989 biography clayton alderfer. Maslows hierarchy of needs is often depicted as a fivelevel pyramid, with the highest need at the top, and the lowest need at the bottom. He arranges the pyramid of human needs from specific needs to abstract needs into three basic stages. Clayton alderfer reformulated maslows need hierarchy theory. The three categories proposed by alderfers erg theory are. It does include propositions relating the impact of higherorder frustration to the strength of lowerorder needs. In 1969, alderfer published a paper that was called an empirical test of a new theory of human need. Motivation process theories explore process of motivation specifications. According to him there are 3 groups of core needs as mentioned above. Alderfer also proposed a regression theory to go along with the erg theory.
Although based on the famous work of maslow, it differs from maslows theory in three ways. The present writer has used both interview and questionnaire meth ods to test e. This theory is a new concept as compared to the maslows theory. Clayton alderfer has become famous with his erg theory.
Alderfer s research has indicated some degree of support. Erg motivation theory alderfer employee motivation theories. Erg theory of motivation consists of three groups of core needs. Jonathan alderfer books list of books by author jonathan. He arranges the pyramid of human needs from specific needs to abstract needs into three basic. Existence needs, relatedness needs, and growth needs. Clayton alderfer biography, books and publications toolshero. All about alderfers theory of human needs erg theory. Both theories have similarities as well as differences on some important aspects. Well known process theories are vrooms expectancy theory, fourdrive theory, skinners reinforcement theory and adams equity theory12. Alderfers erg theory of motivation imagine a classroom where motivation is not an issue.
Alderfer s erg theory from 1969 condenses maslows five human needs into three categories. The main difference between maslows needs hierarchy and alderfers erg theory is the order in which needs are met. Erg theory also shows that if the fulfillment of a higherlevel need is subdued, there is an increase in desire for satisfying a. The erg theory existence, relatedness, growth is a rework of the maslows need hierarchy by clayton alderfer from yale university bethel, 2005. History of management theory human relations movement.
As the above figure shows, alderfer have divided human needs into three distinct. Alderfer erg theory in management essay many essays. Alderfers erg theory is closely related to another popular theory, maslows hierarchy of needs. The existence group is concerned mainly with providing basic material existence. The main difference between maslows needs hierarchy and. Maslows theory was further explored and refined by clayton p. The first is that the focus of the case study concentrates on what motivates workers, by providing samples of end goals as tools of motivation. The erg theory recognizes that people are different and there are variables that can affect the needs of an individual on any given day or any stage of life. This is how we get the abbreviation erg it is a reflection of those needs. Kogut and zanders theory of evolutionary theory versus internationalization theory. Pdf this study utilized alderfers existence, relatedness, and growth erg theory of human needs as the basic framework to investigate consumer.
According to alderfer human needs can be grouped into three groups called existence, relatedness and growth needs. As both of these factors increase, so does motivation strength, or the desire to perform the behavior. Erg theory is a theory in psychology proposed by clayton alderfer. Clayton alderfer extended and simplified maslows hierarchy into a shorter set of three needs. According to maslow, an individual remains at a particular need level until that need is satisfied. Alderfer believed that needs can be met simultaneously and in no. See all books authored by jonathan alderfer, including national geographic backyard guide to the birds of north america, and national geographic field guide to birds. When managers motivate their employees, they their employees various needs into account and they should satisfy these simultaneously. Erg theory a theory of human motivationthat focuses on three groups of needs that form a hierarchy. Alderfer first presented the erg theory of motivation in 1969 in his article, an empirical test of a new theory of human need. We need various things on a daily basis, from things that are going to simply keep us alive like food and water, to things that are going to help us be happy such as personal relationships and accomplishments. Alderfers erg theory clayton paul alderfer is an american psychologist who developed maslows hierarchy of needs into a theory of his own. Alderfer categorized the lower order needs physiological and safety into the existence category.
1313 713 686 523 1039 605 332 1365 942 293 1113 1335 164 1089 935 27 572 1479 611 293 314 1002 1333 434 1373 1378 1351 203 262 693