Theory X and Theory Y
'Theory X' and 'Theory Y' are theories of human motivation and management. They were created and developed by Douglas McGregor at the MIT Sloan School of Management in the 1960s. These theories describe two contrasting models of workforce motivation applied by managers in hu…
What is Theory X management style?
What is theory X management. Theory X is a behavioral style for workplace management; it's defined by a strict rule of law. Setting defined theories for our managing styles helps us to establish workplace standards. The work of psychologists, like Abraham Harold Maslow, are the voices that define management for us.
What is most useful about Theory X and Theory Y?
The professional levels of discipline, accountability and competition hold as much in theory X as they do in Y. The contrasting factors in X and Y are the means by which management leads their team of workers. What's achieved through strict standards via theory X is achieved through self-motivation and theory Y.
What is Theory X and Theory Y attitude?
Under theory X, employees dislike work and will avoid it while at the same time trying to avoid other responsibilities associated with work. On the other hand, theory Y has a perspective that employees are self-motivated and they like work while at the same time taking duties related to work. Creativity
What are examples of Theory X and Theory Y?
Theory X – people dislike work, have little ambition, and are unwilling to take responsibility. Managers with this assumption motivate their people using a rigid "carrot and stick" approach, which rewards good performance and punishes poor performance. Theory Y – people are self-motivated and enjoy the challenge of work.
What are the assumptions of X theory?
Theory X – people dislike work, have little ambition, and are unwilling to take responsibility. Managers with this assumption motivate their people using a rigid "carrot and stick" approach, which rewards good performance and punishes poor performance.
What are the characteristics of Theory X and Theory Y?
Comparison ChartBasis for ComparisonTheory XTheory YAmbitionLittle to no ambitionHighly ambitiousResponsibilityAvoids responsibility.Accept and seek responsibility.Leadership styleAutocraticDemocraticDirectionConstant direction is required.Little to no direction is required.6 more rows•Jul 8, 2017
What is Theory X and Theory Y examples?
Observe individual behaviour and performance and question whether your style motivates them in the right way. If you make good choices on their behalf by pursuing Theory X or Y, you're advocating for their interests. For example, “I prefer management style Y, but this employee always meets their targets under Theory X.
What are the features of theory?
A scientific theory should be:Testable: Theories can be supported through a series of scientific research projects or experiments. ... Replicable: In other words, theories must also be able to be repeated by others. ... Stable: Another characteristic of theories is that they must be stable. ... Simple: A theory should be simple.More items...•
Why is Theory Y better?
Benefits of Theory Y management in the workplace By delegating more responsibility to each employee and offering employees more freedoms, Theory Y managers emphasize the importance of personal autonomy in the workplace. This is essential for boosting productivity and problem-solving and it increases trust.
What is the theory of X and Y?
(i) Theory ‘X’ and theory ‘Y’ are a good guide to management, to not only developing motivational techniques; but also attuning entire managerial systems around these assumptions about human behaviour.
What is the X-theory?
X-Theory is regarded as the means to supervise and control the workers. Decision making in all fields is entrusted with the managers. Workers are allowed to express their suggestions and emotion. But the decisions are taken by managers and workers should follow the decisions.
What is the difference between McGregor's theory X and Y?
They are theory X and theory Y. Theory X holds a negative (traditional) view of the workers while theory Y holds a much refined and positive view of workers.
Is Y theory the same as X?
Y- Theory is just opposite to X-Theory. So, X-Theory is considered as traditional theory and Y-theory as modern theory. Y theory emphasizes the importance of workers in the accomplishment of enterprise objectives.
What is Theory X?
Theory X. Theory X is based on assumptions regarding the typical worker. This management style assumes that the typical worker has little ambition, avoids responsibility, and is individual-goal oriented. In general, Theory X style managers believe their employees are less intelligent, lazier, and work solely for a sustainable income.
Why is Theory X important?
Because managers and supervisors are in almost complete control of the work , this produces a more systematic and uniform product or work flow. Theory X can benefit a work place that utilizes an assembly line or manual labor. Using this theory in these types of work conditions allows employees to specialize in particular work areas which in turn allows the company to mass-produce a higher quantity and quality of work .
What is McGregor's theory of self-actualization?
McGregor also believed that self-actualization was the highest level of reward for employees. He theorized that the motivation employees use to reach self-actualization allows them to reach their full potential. This led companies to focus on how their employees were motivated, managed, and led, creating a Theory Y management style which focuses on the drive for individual self-fulfillment. McGregor's perspective places the responsibility for performance on managers as well as subordinates.
What is McGregor's theory?
The two theories proposed by McGregor describe contrasting models of workforce motivation applied by managers in human resource management , organizational behavior, organizational communication and organizational development.
What are the two theories of human motivation?
Theories of human motivation. Mnemonic device for the two theories: a person refusing to work ("X") and a person cheering the opportunity to work ("Y") Theory X and Theory Y are theories of human work motivation and management. They were created by Douglas McGregor while he was working at the MIT Sloan School of Management in the 1950s, ...
What is the hierarchy of needs?
Maslow's hierarchy of needs consists of physiological needs (lowest level), safety needs, love needs, esteem needs, and self-actualization (highest level). According to Maslow, a human is motivated by the level they have not yet reached, and self-actualization cannot be met until each of the lower levels has been fulfilled. Assumptions of Theory Y, in relation to Maslow's hierarchy put an emphasis on employee higher level needs, such as esteem needs and self-actualization.
What are the two approaches to implementing Theory X?
According to McGregor, there are two opposing approaches to implementing Theory X: the hard approach and the soft approach . The hard approach depends on close supervision, intimidation, and immediate punishment.
What is the difference between theory X and theory Y?
The theory X places exclusive reliance on external control of human behaviour while theory Y relies oneself regulation. In this type of organization, also employee’s interests are the interest of organization. Thus there is no conflict between organizational goals and individual goals.
What is the purpose of McGregor's assumptions?
These assumptions serve the purpose of predicting human behaviour may differ from one another because of the complexity of factors influencing human being. He presents these assumptions on two opposite sides, theory X and theory Y.
What is the theory of motivation of employees?
Regarding motivation of employee in managerial, processes Douglas McGregor and Victor Vroom gave their view. This is called Dauglas McGregor’s theory of motivation or Victor Vroom’s theory of motivation. McGregor’s theory of motivation is based on the assumption of human behaviour.
What is the opposite of Y?
Theory “Y” is the opposite view of theory X . It is based on the principle of integration which replaces traditional concepts of direction and control. After describing theory X, McGregor questioned if this view of human behaviour is correct. He propounded theory Y which, he said, would better represent the human behaviour. The assumptions of theory Y are:
What is the latent capacity of people?
People have a latent capacity to develop and accept responsibility.
What is the difference between theory X and theory Y?
Theory X assumes that an employee dislikes work , while theory Y presupposes that work is natural for employees. Theory X says that employees are unambitious, whereas the employees are highly ambitious says Theory Y. As per theory X, it has been inferred that people do not like taking responsibilities and avoids it to the extent possible.
What is Theory X?
Theory X is a traditional model of motivation and management. It takes into consideration, the pessimistic behaviour of an average human being, who is less ambitious and inherently lazy. Authoritarian management style is applied by the management, where the managers closely monitor and supervise each employee.
What is motivation in psychology?
Motivation implies the act of stimulating or inspiring subordinates to pursue the desired course of action. It is something that makes people act or behave in a particular manner. Based on the premises concerning human behaviour, Prof. Douglas McGregor put forward a theory of motivation, called as theory X and theory Y.
What is the meaning of theory Y?
Theory X is a motivational theory, which involves high supervision and control over the subordinates, and greater degree of centralization. Theory Y, is an advanced theory, wherein it is assumed that the workers are self-directed and self-motivated, for growth and development and takes active part in decision making. Work.
Which leadership style is adopted by the management in the case of theory X?
The leadership style adopted by the management, in the case of theory X is autocratic. As against, democratic leadership style is adopted in the case of theory Y.
Is theory Y the same as theory X?
On the other extreme, Theory Y is diametrically opposite to theory X which shows the modern and dynamic approach to individuals and relies on the assumptions that are practical in nature. In this article, we are going to talk about the major differences between Theory X and Theory Y.
Is self motivation absent in theory X?
The element of self-motivation is absent, as per theory X, but present in theory Y. On the basis of theory X, employees stresses on Psychological needs and Security needs. In contrast, based on theory Y, employees concentrates on Social needs, esteem needs and self-actualization needs.
Management
Managers
- Usually, Theory X managers believe that their workers/ employees are less intelligent, lazier then the managers and individual goal oriented and work only for the sustainable income. In order to make them more productive managers assumes that they have to force the employees by following hard and soft approaches.
Controversy
- Generally, there are many controversial opinions regarding Theory X assumptions. Theory X is more suitable for occupations with manual labor or workers in the jobs associated with assembling of parts and the jobs where the workers want to fulfill their lower order needs of the hierarchy. Utilizing Theory X at suitable workplaces can maximize mass production with more q…
Philosophy
- Theory Y managers believe that their employees/workers are self-directed, highly motivated, committed, highly skilled and capable of exercise their efforts in an inherent manner in order to achieve the individual and organizational objectives. Theory Y managers assume that control and supervision are not necessary for these people to meet their own objectives and organizational …
Advantages
- If the organizations decentralize control and reduce the various levels of management so that each manager has to control many subordinates by delegating decision making and responsibility to them. It is possible in Theory Y because these employees seek responsibility, self-directed and need no control.
Mission
- Increase in job tasks and responsibilities and broadening the scope of employees opportunities in fulfilling their ego needs.
Benefits
- Employees involvement in decision making can prove the capabilities of the employees and helps in fulfilling their higher level needs.
Overview
Theory X and Theory Y are theories of human work motivation and management. They were created by Douglas McGregor while he was working at the MIT Sloan School of Management in the 1950s, and developed further in the 1960s. McGregor's work was rooted in motivation theory alongside the works of Abraham Maslow, who created the hierarchy of needs. The two theories propo…
McGregor and Maslow
McGregor's Theory X and Theory Y and Maslow's hierarchy of needs are both rooted in motivation theory. Maslow's hierarchy of needs consists of physiological needs (lowest level), safety needs, love needs, esteem needs, and self-actualization (highest level). According to Maslow, a human is motivated by the level they have not yet reached, and self-actualization cannot be met until each of the lower levels has been fulfilled. Assumptions of Theory Y, in relation to Maslow's hierarchy …
Theory X
Theory X is based on assumptions regarding the typical worker. This management style assumes that the typical worker has little ambition, avoids responsibility, and is individual-goal oriented. In general, Theory X style managers believe their employees are less intelligent, lazier, and work solely for a sustainable income. Management believes employees' work is based on their own self-interest. Managers who believe employees operate in this manner are more likely to use re…
Theory Y
Theory Y managers assume employees are internally motivated, enjoy their job, and work to better themselves without a direct reward in return. These managers view their employees as one of the most valuable assets to the company, driving the internal workings of the corporation. Employees additionally tend to take full responsibility for their work and do not need close supervision to create a quality product. It is important to note, however, that before an employee carries out their task…
Theory Z
Humanistic psychologist Abraham Maslow, upon whose work McGregor drew for Theories X and Y, went on to propose his own model of workplace motivation, Theory Z. Unlike Theories X and Y, Theory Z recognizes a transcendent dimension to work and worker motivation. An optimal managerial style would help cultivate worker creativity, insight, meaning and moral excellence.
Choosing a management style
For McGregor, Theory X and Theory Y are not opposite ends of the same continuum, but rather two different continua in themselves. In order to achieve the most efficient production, a combination of both theories may be appropriate. This approach is derived from Fred Fiedler's research over various leadership styles known as the contingency theory. This theory states that managers evaluate the workplace and choose their leadership style based upon both internal an…
Military command and control
Theory X and Theory Y also have implications in military command and control (C2). Older, strictly hierarchical conceptions of C2, with narrow centralization of decision rights, highly constrained patterns of interaction, and limited information distribution tend to arise from cultural and organizational assumptions compatible with Theory X. On the other hand, more modern, network-centric, and decentralized concepts of C2, that rely on individual initiative and self-synchronizati…
See also
• Scientific management
Assumptions of Theory X and Theory Y
- Motivation is vital to all organizations. Motivation is the set of forces that lead people to behave in particular ways. In all organization, managers are tried to motivate people in the organization to perform its work efficiently and to achieve organizational goal. By it is the most different factor for manager to motivate people. If motivation is imperfect, the managers face more complicated sit…
Assumptions of Theory X.
- Theory Xis based on the traditional concept of control and direction. It means theory X is believe in traditional concept of human behavior that are: 1. Most people are lazy and dislike of work. 2. People are stupid and inherently self-centered and indifferent to organizational needs. 3. People have little ambition and dislike responsibility. 4. People are resistant to change. 5. As people are …
Assumptions of Theory Y.
- Theory “Y” is the opposite view of theory X. It is based on the principle of integration which replaces traditional concepts of direction and control. After describing theory X, McGregor questioned if this view of human behaviour is correct. He propounded theory Y which, he said, would better represent the human behaviour. The assumptions of theory...