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Maslow's Theory Merits and Criticism

Maslow's theory of motivation proposes that people are motivated to fulfill basic needs like physical needs and safety before moving on to higher level needs like self-esteem and self-actualization. While the theory provides a simple framework for understanding human motivation, it has been criticized for oversimplifying the relationship between needs and behavior, not accounting for individual and cultural differences in need prioritization, and the difficulty measuring higher level needs like self-actualization. However, the theory still offers managers a useful perspective on understanding what motivates employees.

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Anand Verma
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970 views2 pages

Maslow's Theory Merits and Criticism

Maslow's theory of motivation proposes that people are motivated to fulfill basic needs like physical needs and safety before moving on to higher level needs like self-esteem and self-actualization. While the theory provides a simple framework for understanding human motivation, it has been criticized for oversimplifying the relationship between needs and behavior, not accounting for individual and cultural differences in need prioritization, and the difficulty measuring higher level needs like self-actualization. However, the theory still offers managers a useful perspective on understanding what motivates employees.

Uploaded by

Anand Verma
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Maslow’s Theory of Motivation:

Merits and Criticisms


Merits of Maslow’s Theory of Motivation:
Maslow theory has been widely appreciated due to
following reasons:
(i) Maslow’s theory of motivation helps the managers in
understanding how to motivate the employers.

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(ii) Maslow’s theory of motivation theory is very simple, common


and easily understandable.

(iii) It accounts for both inter-personal and intra-personal


variations in human behaviour.

(iv) Maslow’s theory of motivation theory is dynamic because it


presents motivation as a changing force; changing from one level of
needs to the other.

Criticisms of Maslow’s Theory of Motivation:


Despite the appreciation for this theory, it has been
criticised by many on the following grounds:
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1. Researchers have proved that there is lack of hierarchical


structure of needs as suggested by Maslow, though every individual
has some ordering for his need satisfaction.

Some people may be deprived of their lower level needs but may
still strive for self actualisation needs. The example of MAHATMA
GANDHI is one of the most important. There are always some
people to whom, the need for self-esteem is more prominent than
social needs.

2. Another problem is that there is a lack of direct cause and effect


relationship between need and behaviour. One particular need may
cause different type of behaviour in different persons. On the other
hand, as a particular individual behaviour may be due to the result
of different needs. Thus, need hierarchy is not as simple as it
appears to be.

3. Need and satisfaction of needs is a psychological feeling.


Sometimes even the person may not be aware about his own needs.
How can the managers come to know about these needs?

4. Some people say that hierarchy of need simply does not exist. At
all levels needs are present at given time. An individual motivated
by self actualisation needs cannot afford to forget his food. But this
criticism is solved by Maslow by saying that needs are
interdependent and overlapping.

5. Another problem with Maslow’s theory of motivation is the


operationalisation of some of his concepts which makes it difficult
for the researchers to test his theory. For instance, how does one
measure self actualisation?

Despite its drawbacks, Maslow’s theory offers managers a good


handle on understanding the motives or needs of individuals and
how to motivate organisational members.

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