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Theories Of Motivation

Compare and contrast one process theory of motivation with one content theory. Include in your answer a brief explanation why one is a process and one is a content theory. (2000 words max).

The concept of motivation is one that is being increasingly delved into, not only by the likes of psychologists but also by businesses worldwide. According to the Oxford English Dictionary motivation is the ‘the reason or reasons behind one’s actions or behaviour’. In contrast to its definition, the nature of motivating factors is more complex and the numerous theories developed in trying to determine it, indicate this. As a result of these varied beliefs, strategies used by managers in different companies are rarely consistent. Common traits between theories however, do exist allowing the majority of them to be categorised into two types: content and process (Fincham & Rhodes, 2005).
Content theories are based on the assumption that everyone has the same set of needs. Abraham Maslow is credited with founding what is perhaps the most famous and recognised of all the content theories. He claimed that human needs are ‘intrinsic in nature and are based on our biogenetic and evolutionary heritage’ (Fincham & Rhodes, 2005). On this basis he claimed that we all have a common set of needs, thus classifying his theory as content. He went on further to argue that these needs were set out in a hierarchy and that once we satisfy a need at one level, its impact on our behaviour diminishes. And what then influences our behaviour is the need at the next level up the hierarchy. Therefore an individual would at first be motivated to satisfy their deficiency needs (situated at the base of the hierarchy), such as physiological and security needs, and subsequently end up being motivated by higher order needs (located at the top of the hierarchy) involving self esteem and self actualisation.
Process theories, on the other hand, stress the differences in people’s needs and focus on the...