Define the following theories of motivation and discuss using practical examples of how organizations

can use these theories to motivate employees.

Maslow theory
Maslow theory of motivation developed by Psychologist Abraham Maslow, proposes that motivation is
the result of a person's attempt at fulfilling five basic needs: physiological, safety, social, esteem and self-
actualization. According to Maslow, these needs can create internal pressures that can influence a person's
behavior. Maslow argues that one’s sense of well-being increases as the higher-level needs are met
For example, first one must meet the basic, physiological need for food, water and warmth. After that, the
focus would be on the need to be safe, then the need to belong to social groups, and so on up the
hierarchy.
Maslow represented this theory as a hierarchical triangle as shown below