9990 · 4.1.1
Need theories flashcards
Revision flashcards for Cambridge 9990 Need theories (syllabus 4.1.1). Flip, recall, then mark a real past-paper question.
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Maslow's five levels (bottom to top)?
Physiological, safety, belonging/love, esteem, self-actualisation — lower needs must be met before higher ones dominate.
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Herzberg hygiene factors?
Pay, conditions, supervision, company policy — prevent dissatisfaction but do not motivate.
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Herzberg motivators?
Achievement, recognition, responsibility, advancement, the work itself — create satisfaction and drive.
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McClelland's three needs?
nAch (achievement), nAff (affiliation), nPow (power) — people differ in which need dominates.
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High nAch worker profile?
Sets moderate-risk goals, wants feedback on performance, prefers personal responsibility over luck.
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Main critique of need theories?
Western individualist bias, hard to test Maslow's strict hierarchy, oversimplifies why people work.
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According to Maslow, what is the 'Esteem' level of need in a workplace context?
The fourth level in the hierarchy. It refers to the need for self-respect, autonomy, and achievement, as well as recognition and respect from others. In the workplace, this is satisfied through job titles, promotions, positive feedback, and awards.
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Define 'Hygiene Factors' in Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory.
Extrinsic factors related to the job context. They do not produce motivation but can cause dissatisfaction if they are inadequate. Examples include salary, company policy, working conditions, and relationships with supervisors.
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Define 'Motivators' in Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory.
Intrinsic factors related to the job content. Their presence leads to high levels of satisfaction and motivation. Examples include achievement, recognition, responsibility, advancement, and the nature of the work itself.
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What is the 'Need for Affiliation' (nAff) in McClelland's theory?
The desire for friendly and close interpersonal relationships. Individuals with a high nAff are motivated by cooperative environments and seek to be liked and accepted. They may be less effective in leadership positions that require making unpopular decisions.
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What is a key methodological weakness of Herzberg's original study?
Herzberg used the 'critical incident technique', asking workers to describe times they felt exceptionally good or bad about their jobs. This is susceptible to attribution bias, where individuals attribute successes to internal factors (motivators) and failures to external factors (hygiene factors).