Theories of Motivation
One of the most widely mentioned theories of motivation is the Hierarchy of Needs Theory put forth by Abraham Maslow. Maslow saw human needs in a form of hierarchy, ascending from the lowest to the highest. Once one set of needs were satisfied, this kind of need ceases to be a motivator.
Maslow’s Theories of needs are:
Physiological needs:
These are important needs, for human life food, water, warmth, sleep, education. Without these needs satisfied to a degree, no other motivating factors can work.
Security:
The needs to be free from physical danger, and fear of losing a job, property. This also includes protection against emotional harm.
Social needs:
They need to be accepted by others. This would satisfy their need for affection, acceptance and friendship.
Esteem needs:
This need is to satisfy their need to belong this produces such satisfaction as, power, prestige status and self-confidence. It includes internal esteem factors like self-respect and achievements.
Need for self-actualisation:
Maslow regards this as the highest need in his hierarchy. It is the drive to become what one is capable of becoming. To maximise ones potential and to accomplish something.
hhttp://www.laynetworks.com/Theories-of-Motivation.html. (n.d.). accessed 25th April 2010
Jeremy Bentham’s “The Carrot and the Stick Approach”:
Possibly the essence of the traditional view of people at work can be best appreciated by a brief look at the work of this English philosopher, whose ideas were also developed in the early years of the Industrial Revolution, around 1800. Bentham’s view was that all people are self-interested and are motivated by the desire to avoid pain and find pleasure. Any worker will work only if the reward is big enough, or the punishment sufficiently unpleasant. This view - the ‘carrot and stick’ approach - was built into the philosophies of the age and is still to be found, especially in the older, more traditional sectors of industry.
Maslow’s Theories of needs are:
Physiological needs:
These are important needs, for human life food, water, warmth, sleep, education. Without these needs satisfied to a degree, no other motivating factors can work.
Security:
The needs to be free from physical danger, and fear of losing a job, property. This also includes protection against emotional harm.
Social needs:
They need to be accepted by others. This would satisfy their need for affection, acceptance and friendship.
Esteem needs:
This need is to satisfy their need to belong this produces such satisfaction as, power, prestige status and self-confidence. It includes internal esteem factors like self-respect and achievements.
Need for self-actualisation:
Maslow regards this as the highest need in his hierarchy. It is the drive to become what one is capable of becoming. To maximise ones potential and to accomplish something.
hhttp://www.laynetworks.com/Theories-of-Motivation.html. (n.d.). accessed 25th April 2010
Jeremy Bentham’s “The Carrot and the Stick Approach”:
Possibly the essence of the traditional view of people at work can be best appreciated by a brief look at the work of this English philosopher, whose ideas were also developed in the early years of the Industrial Revolution, around 1800. Bentham’s view was that all people are self-interested and are motivated by the desire to avoid pain and find pleasure. Any worker will work only if the reward is big enough, or the punishment sufficiently unpleasant. This view - the ‘carrot and stick’ approach - was built into the philosophies of the age and is still to be found, especially in the older, more traditional sectors of industry.