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Motivation ranges from persona to person depending on personality and the motivation factor. For example, a person maybe motivated for a long-term goal of being a writer or a very short-term goal like learning to spell a word. Motivation theories try to form a process with which human behavior can be stimulated and directed for achieving goals. Motivation theories are lately, being extensively studied for increasing the output of organizations. These theories can be classified into two broad categories – content theories and process theories. Today, there are a large number of theories studying motivation but none of them has been universally accepted.
Some famous motivation theories are, Maslow’s Theory of Motivation and Human Needs, McGregor’s Factor X/Y theory, the Hawthorne Study, Hezberg’s Two Factor Theory.
Maslow’s theory is one of the most theories so far. Abraham Maslow, is considered the father of Humanistic Psychology, and also known as the "Third Force”. Maslow’s motivation theory has found its way in every basic management course-study. Maslow did not agree with the idea that human behavior is controlled by only internal unconscious forces. Instead, Maslow stated that man's behavior is controlled by both internal and external factors. He presented a hierarchy of needs which he divided into 5 Basic Needs and Growth Needs. An individual must satisfy lower level basic needs to meet hisher level growth needs. Once these needs are satisfied reasonable, one may reach the highest level called self-actualization.
Another famous theory is McGregor’s factor X/Y theory. It categorizes behavior of employees into two opposite categories and explains possible behavior of their supervisors or managers. McGregor developed two theories of human behavior at work, theory X and theory Y. He formulated the theories as two extremes with a whole lot of possible behaviors in between them. Theory X described workers as : Those who dislike work and try to avoid it wherever possible. Those who lack ambition and do not take responsibility. Individuals who want security. The suggested management procedures for theory X workers was that they would have to impose a management system of strictness, control, and punishment. Contrarily to this, were the theory Y workers. These were individuals who considered work just like rest or fun. Individuals who do not dislike work. Workers who were ready to undertake responsibility. McGregor stated that to achieve maximum goals out of such people, rewards and perks of varying kinds are likely to be the most popular motivators.
The Hawthorne study is a very interesting concept. It is a phenomenon that peoples behavior and performance get affected by any new or increased attention. These studies have had a dramatic impact on management in organizations. The term coined from a factory called the Hawthorne Works, where experiments were carried out on factory workers between 1924 and 1932. There were various experiments conducted but the main ones were directed at studying the effect of the lighting in the factory on the workers productivity. It was found that whenever the illumination in the factory was changed it resulted in an increase in the productivity. Similar experiments were conducted on a group of 5 young women. Herzberg’s Two Factor Theory extends Maslow’s model. Frederick Herzberg, contributed to human relations and motivation with two theories of motivation. Hygiene theory and motivation theory. Hygiene theory includes the work surroundings and the organizational environment. These factors are not directly related to higher productivity but their absence leads to dissatisfaction. The second part in Herzbergs' motivation theory deals with what people actually do on the job Also motivating factors should be included in the jobs employees do in order to develop intrinsic motivation amongst the employees.
Lately, motivation theories are being extensively studied by corporate organizations, schools and colleges. Efforts are going on to find fixed methods to find new and effective methods of motivation to achieve goals increase productivity.
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