Question

Compare Maslow's and Herzberg's theories. How are they similar? How are they dissimilar?

Please be specific and detailed. You must include examples of these theories "in action" that you have either experienced or observed, or if you haven't, propose how they might look in real life. Bonus: consider how current conditions - with many laid off, many working from home, many essential workers working under social distancing conditions might affect people's motivation negatively and positively. What makes the difference?

Answer 1

Both Maslow's and Herzberg's theories are motivational theories. These theories explains the motivation at work. Motivation is an important factor affecting the behavior and production in an organization.

Frederick Herzberg gives his two factor theory based on the interview of two hundred accountants and engineers. He was of the view that job satisfaction and dissatisfaction are two different things. It is not like that if one person is not satisfied with his job then he is dissatisfied. He defines two terms, i.e, motivators and hygiene factors. Motivators are those which help increase the satisfaction but not put effect on dissatisfaction, for example- responsibility, achievement, promotion, etc. Hygiene factors, on the other hand, are the those,the absence of which may cause dissatisfaction and have little effect on providing satisfaction. For example- job security, pay benefits, etc.

Maslow gives a hierarchy to explain the motivation in an individual. He was basically more focused on the need of an individual, of how a person moves and motivate to achieve the optimal level of need. The person starts from physiological needs and at last he moves to the self actualization, which is at the top of the Maslow's hierarchy.

Both the models assume that specific needs energize behavior. Both says, " We behave as we do because we wnt to fulfill our internal needs first". Herzberg's hygiene factors are similar to the Maslow's safty and belongingness needs.

Mashlow defines five stages of motivation, but according to Herzberg there are only two. Maslow's hierarchy go step by step but the two factor theory has not such restrictions. Mashlow said that if the needs at any stage are not fulfilled then it leads to dissatisfaction but, on the other hand, Herzberg defines it in other category called hygiene factors, deficiency of which leads to dissatisfaction.