McGregor's Theory X and Y

Maslows Hierarchy of Needs Starter: Fill in the levels of

the hierarchy
Esteem Needs
Safety
Needs
Self Actualisation

Social
Needs

Survival
Needs

McGregors Theory
McGregor looked at the way in which
employers and employees traditionally
viewed work The employer paid the
money and gave instructions, and the
worker did the job without asking
questions (THEORY X)

McGregors Theory X and Y

Theory X workers:

Dont like working

Do as little as they can get away with
Dont like things to change
Need to be told what to do
Cant be trusted to make a decision
Are only interested in MONEY
Must be closely watched
Cant be trusted or relied upon

McGregor's Theory y
Theory Y workers:

Enjoy their work

Will work hard to get rewards
Want to see new things happening
Will work independently
Can be trusted to make decisions
Are motivated by things other than money
Can work unsupervised

Your Task
As a manager you need to get an important order out quickly,
by the end of this week at the latest!!!
1) Outline how you would put this to the workers if you believed
in Theory X (How are you going to convince workers to work
quickly??)
2) Outline how you would put this to the workers if you believed
in Theory Y
3)What are the three main differences in the two approaches
4)Which theory would you personally support? State your
reason as fully a possible

Completing the Questionnaire

1st: Answer the bottom half of the sheet.
Put the Number 5 -1 (Scale at top of page)
next to each statement. Then add up your
score!!!
2nd: Based on your observations on your
work experience placement answer the
top half of the sheet using the same scale.

Extension
What motivational factors were used in
your work experience placement?
How successful were each of these?