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The ERG Theory of Clayton P. Alderfer is a model that appeared in 1969
in a Psychological Review article entitled "An Empirical Test of a New Theory
of Human Need". In a reaction to the famous
Hierarchy of Needs by Maslow,
Alderfer distinguishes three categories of human needs that influence worker's
behavior; existence, relatedness and growth.
 The
ERG categories of human needs
These ERG Theory categories are:
- Existence Needs: physiological and safety needs (such as hunger,
thirst and sex). The first two levels of Maslow.
- Relatedness Needs: social and external esteem (involvement with
family, friends, co-workers and employers). The third and fourth levels
of Maslow.
- Growth Needs: internal esteem and self actualization (the desire
to be creative, productive and to complete meaningful tasks). Maslow's fourth
and fifth levels.
ERG Theory and Maslow
Contrarily to the idea by Maslow that access to the higher levels of his
pyramid required satisfaction in the lower level needs, the ERG areas of Alderfer
are simultaneous needs.
ERG Theory recognizes that the importance of the three categories may vary
for each individual. Managers must recognize that an employee has multiple
needs, that must be satisfied simultaneously. According to the ERG theory,
if you focus exclusively on one need at a time, this will not effectively
motivate.
The frustration-regression principle
In addition, the ERG theory acknowledges that if a higher level need remains
unfulfilled, the person may regress towards lower level needs, which appear
easier to satisfy. This is known as: the frustration-regression principle.
This principle impacts workplace motivation. For example, if growth opportunities
are not offered to the employees , they may regress towards relatedness needs,
and socialize more with co-workers.
If management can recognize these conditions early, steps can be taken
to satisfy the frustrated needs until the subordinate is able to pursue growth
again.
Book: Clayton P.
Alderfer - Existence, Relatedness, and Growth; Human Needs in Organizational
Settings -
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ERG Theory Special Interest Group
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ERG Theory Education & Events
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 Drivers and Levers of Employees
In their 2002 book "Driven: How Human Nature Shape...
Usage (application): Improving Employee Motivation
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Differences Between Maslow's Hierarchy and Alderfer's ERG Theory
The 4 main differences between the theories by Mas...
Usage (application): Understanding Human Needs, Teaching
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Classifications of Human Needs (Employees, Consumers)
One of possible ways to classify human (employee, ...
Usage (application): Motivation, Marketing, Human Needs
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Family-Work Conflicts (FWC) and Daily Job Performance
FAMILY ROLES and WORK are two factors influencing ...
Usage (application): Family-work conflicts, Coaching, Mentoring, Job Performance
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Try This Useful ERG-Exercise
- What are currently your own most important needs...
Usage (application): Understanding ERG
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 Human Motivation
Comprehesive presentation on Human / Employee Moti...
Usage (application): Employee Motivation
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Overview of Content and Process Motivation Theories
Overview presentation of the major content moti...
Usage (application): Motivation, Needs, Incentives, Goal Setting, Behavior
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 NLP: The 6 Neurological Levels
Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) is used increas...
Usage (application): 6 layers to view at the reality of a person or issue
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ERG Theory Diagram
Download and edit the 12manage PowerPoint model fo...
Usage (application): Employee Satisfaction / Frustration
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Compare Theory of Human Needs | Existence - Relatedness - Growth Theory | ERG Theory (Alderfer) with: Hierarchy of
Needs |
Theory of Needs |
Herzberg Two Factor Theory
| 4 Dimensions
of Relational Work |
Emotional Intelligence
| Expectancy Theory
| Path-Goal Theory
| Theory X Theory Y
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Hawthorne Effect |
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