Motivation theories

The Content Theory:
I believe this theory is rather accurate when applied because humans have the tendency toward selfishness, fulfilling their own needs first. For example, in many industrial company, if profits are made,, they are willing to ignore the consequences of their actions such as dumping chemical waste into rivers and lakes. These thoughts of materialistic needs are translated into actions in this example. This theory could also be applied along with a reward based environment where individual needs could be met.


Maslow's Hierachy of needs:
In this theory, people' needs are divided into 5 categories and ranked into a pyramid of needs. If a need is met, another need becomes the next goal. However, this theory has some flaws. One of such is that people could live without lower needs but still strive for self-actualization. The mere thought of measuring people's satisfaction is rather impossible. To many, they do not even realize what they really need. This theory is not so practical.


Herzberg 2 Factor theory:
To motivation, there are 2 sides: the Hygiene factors and the Motivator factors. The theory seeks to decrease the Hygiene factors to decrease dissatisfaction and increase motivator factors to increase satisfaction. Hygiene factors do not motivate people and they are extrinsic. Without them, it will lead to dissatisfaction. On the other hand, motivator has a positive impact on people. If present, they increase motivations but if absent, they do not lead to dissatisfaction. These are intrinsic. However,
This model is limited only to engineers and accountants, as with others, the effect may be reverse. This is also mot applicable in all situations. In some, it is impossible to separate the intrinsic and extrinsic factors.

Alderfers ERG theory:

There are 3 need levels: Existence (desires for physiological and material well being), Relatedness (satisfaction of interpersonal relationships), and Growth (desires to continue psychological growth and development). There is the reactivation of a already satisfied lower need if a higher need is frustrated. All or one needs could influence a behavior at the same time. This is similar to Maslow's theory, but with only 3 steps.




McClelland's Need theory:

He theorized that people who acquired needs behave differently and that there are 3 types of needs: achievement, power, and affiliation. I really do not think behaviors of human beings could be influenced by just these broad categories of needs.




Adam's equity theory:
In here, people who are treated unfairly seek elimination of discomfort and restore a sense of equity in the situation. Motivation comes from the rejection of discomfort and the yearn for equity. It drives people to change the negative inequity by changing work inputs, rewards, situations, and comparison points. For example, oppressed African American community in the 1960s strived for Civil rights. We have seen many events like this throughout history and this theory has been able to demonstrate somewhat of the behaviors and situations.



Goal  Setting Theory:
Well managed and properly set goals could be great motivators here. Set standards for a performance or a frame of reference for feedback are examples of well set goals. Key issues here include setting specific and challenging goals which has clarified priority and rewards of accomplishments. This is great in group works and projects where people could visualize the job and its expectations clearly and are motivated to perform efficiently.


Expectancy theory: 
Victor Vroom theorized that expectancy: working hard will lead to the desire level of performance would lead to instrumentality: reward for the performance and later lead to Valence: value a person assigns to rewards and other work related outcome. The effort would increase the performance. Such as, the attitude of workers could affect their performance. However, there are more factors such as their abilities to complete the jobs or their perceptions of the jobs. Also, rewards also play an important role in determining the behaviors.

High school Group projects:
It is important for teachers to apply the Goal Setting theory where requirements for performance is addressed clearly. Students would know exactly what is expected of them. They are motivated to satisfied the said standards. Moreover, rewards from the teachers could further provide incentives for students to work together more to achieve such rewards.

Same-sex Marriage:
Adam's equity theory is best utilized here where homosexual groups who are mistreated could fight for their rights for marriage. They reject the discomfort given off  by many critics of the idea. This theory provides the motivation for people to fight for what they believe in and in this case: equity.

Lack of Clean Water:
People who individual needs are not met would definitely be motivated to satisfy such needs. In this case it's water. The content theory could help people visualize how individual needs could definitely motivate people to work toward the betterment of their situations.