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Motivation Theories: Content Or Process Theory?

Motivation as everyone knows is the act of moving and it is also a driving force within us that gives rise to certain behavior that moves us in a particular direction. Thus, all the various motivation theories that you may have come across deal with the processes that help explain the whys and hows of human behavior and the directions that you take in life.

Content and Process Motivational Theories

There is no doubt that such motivational theories are very important to mankind, especially when it comes to studying organizational behaviors. Motivational theories can be divided into two types:  content theories and process theories. Neither of which has been accepted universally.

When one considers the motivation theories of the content type, one is thinking primarily of motivation that is focused on internal factors that contribute to energizing as well as directing the behavior of humans . Good examples this content theory are Maslow and his hierarchy of needs and Alderfer and ERG theory. The content theory propounded by Maslow is the most well known. He came up with five elementary basic needs that are psychological, safety as well as security, need of love, need for self esteem as well as self-actualization needs.

On the other hand there is the ERG motivation theory that is quite like that of Maslow and which helps to explain relatedness and existence, as well as needs for growth. Its proponent, Herzeberg, elaborates on some factors in the workplace that help workers achieve satisfaction in their work and he used a technique known as Thematic Aptitude Test or TAT in which people are evaluated according to three needs: achievement, power and also affiliation. Furthermore, according to these motivation theories, there are some people who have a greater need of power and who would thus take action so as to influence the behavior of others.

On the other hand there are the process theories through which it is hoped to understand how people think and how such thoughts influence their behaviors. Of special interest as far as these motivation theories go is the Adam’s equity theory as well as Vroom’s expectancy theory. Others that can be studied from among the different types of process theories are goal-setting theory and also reinforcement theory.