
What is Clayton Paul Alderfer's ERG theory?
Clayton Paul Alderfer proposed his ERG theory as a means of explaining human motivation and justifying the human desire to fulfill various needs. Alderfer's ERG theory pares down Maslow's hierarchy of needs from five levels to three levels.
Is Clayton Alderfer dead or still alive?
Clayton Alderfer passed away on October 30, 2015. Alderfer is known mainly for his ERG theory of motivation, which is often compared to Abraham Maslow's theory of motivation known as the hierarchy of needs. Alderfer's ERG theory is an acronym for the following:
What is Clayton Alderfer growth needs?
With Growth Needs, Clayton Alderfer focuses on the need of people to grown and develop themselves. The Growth Needs correspond with the fifth level of Maslow ’s Hierarchy of Needs that correspond with self-actualization needs.
Who is Alderfer in psychology?
Clayton Paul Alderfer (born September 1, 1940 in Sellersville, Pennsylvania) is an American psychologist who further expanded Maslow’s hierarchy of needs by categorizing the hierarchy into his ERG theory (Existence, Relatedness and Growth). Alderfer categorized the lower order needs (Physiological and Safety) into the Existence category.

Which theory is given by Alderfer?
ERG theoryAlderfer's ERG theory from 1969 condenses Maslow's five human needs into three categories: Existence, Relatedness and Growth. Include all material and physiological desires (e.g., food, water, air, clothing, safety, physical love and affection).
What is the ERG theory according to Clayton Alderfer?
Alderfer's ERG theory of motivation builds on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and states that humans have three core types of need: Existence, Relatedness and Growth. These needs may be of different levels of priority for different individuals, and their relative importance for an individual may vary over time.
What kind of theory was developed by Clayton Alderfer in the 1960s?
ERG theory is a needs-based theory of motivation developed by Clayton Alderfer in the late 1960s. ERG stands for the three basic needs— existence, relatedness, and growth —understood to influence human behavior. Alderfer's theory represents an expansion and refinement of Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory.
What is ERG theory used for?
The theory is traced from its outgrowth of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs through efforts to further understand and expand its implications. ERG is mostly applied to the study of human motivation in the workplace as a tool for increasing morale and productivity.
How do the theories of Maslow and Alderfer differ?
In what way do the theories of Maslow and Alderfer differ? Unlike Maslow, Alderfer believed that a person can be motivated by needs from multiple levels at a time. Which of the following is true of valence, according to the expectancy theory? Providing employees with highly valent outcomes can reduce turnover.
What is process motivational theory?
Process theories of motivation try to explain why behaviors are initiated. These theories focus on the mechanism by which we choose a target, and the effort that we exert to “hit” the target. There are four major process theories: (1) operant conditioning, (2) equity, (3) goal, and (4) expectancy.
What does ERG theory stand for quizlet?
What does ERG stand for? existence, relatedness, and growth. How does Maslow's Hierarchy and the ERG theory directly compare? Existence needs are related to physiological and safety needs and relatedness is associated with belongingness. Growth is connected to self-esteem and self-actualization.
What is ERG in psychology?
n. 1. a term used by Raymond B. Cattell , in preference to drive or instinct, to denote a type of innate dynamic trait that directs an individual toward a goal and provides the motivational energy to obtain it.
What is the implication of ERG theory in education?
Alderfer's ERG theory states that human beings need existence, relatedness and growth. Therefore, performance and motivation can be increased by continually providing opportunities for people to satisfy these needs in a balanced way.
What does ERG theory stand for quizlet?
What does ERG stand for? existence, relatedness, and growth. How does Maslow's Hierarchy and the ERG theory directly compare? Existence needs are related to physiological and safety needs and relatedness is associated with belongingness. Growth is connected to self-esteem and self-actualization.
How do you use Alderfer's ERG theory?
1. Alderfer's ERG TheoryExistence. In alignment with Maslow's basic needs which he categorized as physiological needs, Alderfer called them the existence needs. ... Relatedness. ... Growth. ... Satisfied Needs. ... Unfulfilled Needs. ... Strengthening Satisfied Needs. ... Fulfill Their Existence Needs. ... Check for Unsatisfied Relatedness Needs.More items...•
What is ERG in psychology?
n. 1. a term used by Raymond B. Cattell , in preference to drive or instinct, to denote a type of innate dynamic trait that directs an individual toward a goal and provides the motivational energy to obtain it.
What is significant about the ERG theory as it relates to Maslow's theory?
ERG theory of Clayton Alderfer is a modification of Maslow's hierarchy of needs (Alderfer, 1969). Instead of the five needs that are hierarchically organized, Alderfer proposed that basic human needs may be grouped under three categories, namely, Existence, Relatedness, and Growth (see the following figure).
What is the difference between Maslow and ERG theory?
One difference between Alderfer's ERG theory, which stands for existence, relatedness, and growth, versus Maslow's hierarchy of needs, is that the...
What does ERG theory say about motivation?
According to Alderfer's ERG theory, which is an acronym for existence, relatedness, and growth, a person can be motivated by more than one need sim...
What does ERG stand for?
According to Alderfer, ERG is an acronym for existence, relatedness, and growth. His ERG theory is similar to Maslow's hierarchy of needs. However,...
Clayton Alderfer's ERG Theory
Alderfer has tried to rebuild the hierarchy of needs of Maslow into another model named ERG, i.e., Existence - Relatedness - Growth. According to him there are 3 groups of core needs as mentioned above. The existence group is concerned mainly with providing basic material existence.
Process Theories of Motivation
1. Needs-Goal Theory: Motivation begins with an individual feeling a need. This need is then transformed into behavior directed at supporting, or allowing, the performance of goal behavior to reduce that felt need. Theoretically, goal supportive behavior and goal behavior itself continue until the felt need has been significantly reduced.
What are the extrinsic values that Clayton Alderfer thinks are essential to human existence?
To exist, every individual needs extrinsic values such as food, drink, warmth and love . Clayton Alderfer thinks these Existence Needs are obvious and that they form the basis for human existence. Relatedness Needs. The Relatedness Needs focus on relatedness needs.
What is the ERG theory?
The five human needs described in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, have been reduced to three levels by Clayton Alderfer: Existence Needs, Relatedness Needs and Growth Needs.
What are the relatedness needs of Abraham Maslow?
The Relatedness Needs relate with Abraham Maslow’s social needs and external self-esteem needs.
What happens if you cannot realize your growth needs?
If they cannot realize the Growth Needs by means of self-enrichment, this person will do anything to satisfy their Relatedness Needs. They will fully devote themselves to establishing their relationships with people in their environment.
Why is interpersonal relationship important?
Interpersonal relationships are important for a person’s social status and interaction with other people. Growth Needs. With Growth Needs, Clayton Alderfer focuses on the need of people to grown and develop themselves.
Which theory states that different needs categories can be satisfied simultaneously?
Contrary to Maslow’s theory, according to Clayton Alderfer ‘s ERG theory, different needs categories can be satisfied simultaneously.
Who said it is possible for people to regress down to a lower level even though their needs in this level?
Contrary to Abraham Maslow ’s reasoning, Clayton Alderfer thinks that it is possible for people to regress down to a lower level even though their needs in this level have been satisfied before. From this level people can climb to a higher level again.
What does Alderfer propose?
Alderfer proposed that when a certain category of needs isn’t being met, people will redouble their efforts to fulfill needs in a lower category. For example, if someone’s self-esteem is suffering, he or she will invest more effort in the relatedness category of needs.
What is relatedness needs?
Relatedness needs have to do with the importance of maintaining interpersonal relationships. These needs are based in social interactions with others and align with Maslow’s levels of love/belonging-related needs (such as friendship, family, and sexual intimacy) and esteem-related needs (gaining the respect of others).
What are the basic needs of a human being?
These include what Maslow categorized as physiological needs (such as air, food, water, and shelter) and safety-related needs (such as health, secure employment, and property).
Who developed Maslow's hierarchy of needs?
Clayton Paul Alderfer is an American psychologist who developed Maslow’s hierarchy of needs into a theory of his own. Alderfer’s ERG theory suggests that there are three groups of core needs: existence ( E ), relatedness ( R ), and growth ( G )—hence the acronym ERG.
Who is the author of Revision and adaptation?
Revision and adaptation. Authored by: Linda Williams and Lumen Learning. License: CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike
Why are Maslow's physiological and safety needs grouped into one category?
Thus, both the physiological and safety needs of Maslow are grouped into one category because of their same nature and a similar impact on the behavior of an individual. Relatedness Needs: The relatedness needs refer to the social needs, that an individual seeks to establish relationships with those for whom he cares.
What are Maslow's growth needs?
Thus, growth needs are those needs that influence an individual to explore his maximum potential in the existing environment.
Who proposed the idea of overlapping?
An American psychologist Clayton Paul Alderfer had proposed this theory and believed that each need carries some value and hence can be classified as lower-order needs and higher-order needs. He also found some level of overlapping in the physiological, security and social needs along with an invisible line of demarcation between the social, ...
How does ERG work?
The ERG motivation theory work in situations. In the battle of people that means the workplace, the managers must recognize the various needs of the employees. As per the ERG theory of motivation, the focus shall be on one need at a time that may not motivate the people. This approach of frustration-regression impacts workplace motivation.
What happens if growth opportunities are not provided?
If they are not provided, they may regress to relatedness needs which is not good for the overall zeal and enthusiasm for the workplace.
What does it mean when a lower need does not need to be satisfied?
The lower need does not need to be satisfied that means if the person satisfies the needs at hand, does not take into consideration the satisfaction of a previous need. If the relatively significant need is not satisfied, the ability and motivation to gratify lesser need get increased.
What happens if a person's needs go unfulfilled?
If higher needs that a person vies to achieve goes unfulfilled, the individual might regress to lower level needs that may appear easier to satisfy and achieve.
What is the satisfaction of need in Maslow's hierarchy?
The satisfaction of need for both ERG theory of motivation and Maslow’s hierarchy occurs from motive to act. This means the pursuit to satisfy. The motivation here is the driving force. For example: When Rahul is not fact-checking stories, he spends time doing social activities and also hangs around the editor’s office.
What are growth needs?
Growth Needs: Growth needs account for the internal esteem and self-actualization needs of Maslow. This means to make a person creative and productive. In a nutshell, this need helps to person to do meaningful tasks. The needs differ from person to person. ERG’s theory of motivation focuses on terms of concreteness of categories.
How can current needs be satisfied?
The current needs can be satisfied through various iterations of it . This concept means that already satisfied needs can still create satisfaction and strengthen lower needs iteratively. Strengthening becomes helpful when higher-level needs cannot be achieved.
Why is Alderfer's theory unnecessary?
Alderfer suggests that this is unnecessary because people can pursue their preferred needs at their own leisure. Yet there are also regressive behaviors in a needs pursuit that Alderfer recognized that needed to be addressed in the ERG theory of motivation.
Why does Alderfer use this perspective as a starting point instead of a conclusion?
Alderfer uses this perspective as a starting point instead of a conclusion. This is because the way a person perceives their needs can be very different. Maslow would say that a person cannot meet their social interaction needs until a basic need, such as water availability, is first met.
What is the Maslow hierarchy of needs?
The theory is based off of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which argues that people have stages of motivation. Only when lower-level needs can be met does it become possible for an individual to meet higher-level needs under the Maslow perspective. Alderfer uses this perspective as a starting point instead of a conclusion.
What is Maslow's pyramid?
Maslow created a pyramid for these needs, requiring each one to be met before the next need could be addressed. Alderfer acknowledges that these needs are present, but simplifies them and removes the need to have higher priorities for one over the other. In the ERG theory of motivation, the priorities of a person can change depending on the individual and the situation they face.
How do people meet their needs?
The ERG theory of motivation proposes that how we meet needs is individualized and based on our own environments and experiences.
What did Maslow believe about regression?
Maslow believed that if a person could not meet their needs at a specific stage, then the frustration of not having those needs met would cause the person to drop down a stage. Those experiencing regression would pursue lower stage needs because of the satisfaction that comes from having needs met.
What is the ERG theory of motivation?
In the ERG theory of motivation, the priorities of a person can change depending on the individual and the situation they face.
