What you’ll learn to do: explain need-based theories of worker motivation

In this section we will look at four main theories about how human needs are satisfied: Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, Alderfer’s ERG theory, Herzberg’s two-factor theory, and McClelland’s acquired-needs theory.

The specific things you’ll learn in this section include:

• List the various levels of needs in Maslow’s hierarchy
• Explain the impact that Maslow’s levels of needs have on worker motivation
• Summarize the changes to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs in Alderfer’s ERG theory
• Explain the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivators in Herzberg’s two-factor theory
• Describe how employees might be motivated using McClelland’s acquired needs theory