Clayton Alderfer, another associate of Maslow, also seeks an adapted version of workplace motivation.
He proposes three categories of needs:
1. Existence - these needs pertain to physiological requirements (such as drinking, eating, sleeping, etc.).
2. Relatedness - the need for social relationships and belonging to groups.
3. Growth - the need for personal development.
The major difference from Maslow's theory is that Alderfer's ERG theory is not hierarchical.
The three categories are considered equal and can be experienced simultaneously and individually.
In 1972, when Maslow's model was published, the concept of working for the benefit of others, not just altruism, had not yet emerged. This is likely why the fourth category of motivating factors (societal commitment) is not included, even though it is in Maslow's pyramid.
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The theories from the second half of the twentieth century marked a shift in the understanding of motivation.
Previously, most research viewed humans as naturally inert and needing motivation to become active. This perspective was reinforced by Taylor's claim that workers were lazy. However, the concept of motivation underwent a transformation.
Psychologists in the latter half of the century [...] believed that individuals are inherently active and always moving towards goals. They argued that people are intrinsically motivated and constantly engaged in action. According to this view, motivation is not required to initiate action because individuals are already in motion.1
Subsequently, research focused on individual agentivity, which refers to the idea that individuals are the agents of their own existence and progress. They are no longer controlled by external forces (such as the environment) or internal drives. They become the "captains of their own ships."
This theory is generally seen as addressing the process of motivation construction rather than the "why" of motivation, which was considered resolved in the previous paradigm. In essence, it is more of a decision theory than a theory of motivation.2
- 1
(notion://www.notion.so/motivatwork/La-th-orie-E-R-G-957467da493244d4a29220f2f38a9090#_ftnref1) Psychologie de la motivation et des émotions — Johnmarshall Reeve - 2e Édition | Février 2017 - deBoeck
- 2
(notion://www.notion.so/motivatwork/La-th-orie-E-R-G-957467da493244d4a29220f2f38a9090#_ftnref2) Maugeri, Salvatore. Théories de la motivation au travail - 2ème édition (Les Topos) (French Edition) . Dunod.