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Project Management & Agile · Intermediate

Motivation Theories

Theories explaining what drives people at work, including Maslow, Herzberg, McGregor, McClelland, and Vroom.

Definition

Maslow's hierarchy of needs; Herzberg's hygiene factors (prevent dissatisfaction) vs. motivators (create satisfaction); McGregor's Theory X (people need control) and Theory Y (people are self-motivated); McClelland's achievement, affiliation, and power needs; Vroom's expectancy theory (expectancy x instrumentality x valence). Daniel Pink highlights autonomy, mastery, and purpose.

Example

Raising salary (hygiene) stops complaints but recognition (motivator) increases engagement.

Exam tip

Salary and working conditions are hygiene factors, not motivators.

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