An Overview of Two Main Motivation Theories, Explaining and Contrast One Content and One Process Based Theories.

1580 Words7 Pages
INTRODUCTION The purpose of this essay is to discuss in detail a popular content and process theory namely Maslow's hierarchy theory and the process theory of Porter Lawlor Expectancy Theory and to explain the contrast of the two and how these theories might help to motivate people in a workplace. Content theories address the question of what motivates people. These seek to identify the needs which cause individuals to perform in a certain way. Process theories address the question of how certain actions are determined. These concentrate on the thought process, (cognitive process) which individuals undergo before they are motivated to act in a certain way. Psychologists have defined the term motivation in a few different ways. As described by Daft (1997), motivation is understood as "the forces either within or external to a person that arouse enthusiasm and persistence to pursue a certain course of action" (pg. 526). "Motivation is concerned with how behaviour got started, is energized, is sustained, is directed, is stopped, and what kind of subjective reaction is present in the organism while all this is going on" (Edward E. 1973: pg.3) MASLOW HIERARCHY THEORY Maslow has said that "Man is a perpetually wanting animal whose needs depend on what they already possess". According to him, there are at least five basic needs that need to be satisfied. There are physiology, security, belongingness, esteem and self-actualisation. He put these needs in hierarchy of importance. At the end of the hierarchy are the physiology needs such as food, water, shelter, base salary etc. Next are the security needs that is to ensure they feel secure about their job and free from worry about money examples including an adequate insurance and retirement benefits package or pension plan, clothing etc. Belongingness needs refers to the need for love and affection. These needs are

More about An Overview of Two Main Motivation Theories, Explaining and Contrast One Content and One Process Based Theories.

Open Document