Alderfer’s ERG

Theory
A Motivational Theory
Motivation class
 CONTENTS
 Overview
 Developer’s Introduction.
 ERG Model.
 ERG theory relationship with the Maslow’s Need.
 ERG theory relationship among the needs.
 Similarities between Hierarchy of needs and ERG theory
 Merits of ERG theory.
 Criticisms of Alderfer’s theory.
 Conclusion
Overview
The ERG Theory of Motivation is a
simplified but more flexible version of
Maslow's hierarchy of Needs. It proposes
three needs that must all be satisfied in
order for an individual to be motivated:
existence, relatedness, and growth.
 DEVELOPER’S INTRODUCTION

• Clayton Paul Alderfer is an

American psychologist who
further expanded Maslow's
hierarchy of needs by
categorizing the hierarchy into
his ERG theory of motivation
• Alderfer distinguishes three
categories of human needs that
influence worker’s behavior;
existence, relatedness and
Clayton Paul
growth.
Alderfer September
1, 1940
 ERG MODEL
In ERG Theory Clayton Alderfer developed a new
model to explain the simultaneous nature of Maslow's
five needs. Alderfer compressed Maslow's hierarchy of
needs from five to three.
ERG Model

Existence Relatedness Growth

 Existence
Needs

Material Physiological
desires
desires

 This corresponds closely to Maslow's first two

levels.
  Relatedness
Needs

Social External
Esteem

 Corresponds to Maslow's third and fourth

levels.
Growth Needs

Internal Self
esteem actualization

 Maslow's fourth and fifth

levels.
Relationships with
the
Maslow’s Need
Existence needs concern our basic material requirements for living. These
include what Maslow categorized as physiological needs (such as air, food,
water, and shelter) and safety-related needs (such as health, secure
employment, and property).

Relatedness needs have to do with the importance of maintaining

interpersonal relationships. These needs are based in social interactions with
others and align with Maslow’s levels of love/belonging-related needs (such
as friendship, family, and ETC.) and esteem-related needs (gaining the
respect of others).

Growth needs describe our intrinsic desire for personal development. These
needs align with the other portion of Maslow’s esteem-related needs (self-
esteem, self-confidence, and achievement) and self-actualization needs (such
as morality, creativity, problem-solving, and discovery)
 ERG THEORY RELATIONSHIP AMONG THE
NEEDS

 A person may move to higher level needs without satisfying the lower
level needs(Progression not hierarchy)
 He/she may regress to previous needs level if the higher level needs are
not satisfied. (Frustration/Regression)
 SIMILARITIES BETWEEN HIERARCHY
OF NEEDS AND ERG THEORY

 Both were formulated to explain human

motivation in influencing behavior.

 Basic needs emphasized in both are the same.

 Overall structure of need categories is also the

same.
 MERITS OF ERG THEORY

 This concept of needs is more direct and simple

to
understand.

 It is more flexible and therefore, more realistic.

 The provision of backlash of fulfillment of a need

accords with reality
 CONCLUSION

Clayton Alderfer extended and simplified Maslow's

Hierarchy into a shorter set of three needs: Existence,
Relatedness and Growth as 'ERG'. Unlike Maslow, he
did not see these as being a hierarchy, but being
more of a continuum.