Theory X and Theory Y - wikipedia Theory X and Theory Y This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( October 2015 ) Mnemonic device for the two theories : a person refusing to work ( `` X '' ) and a person cheering the opportunity to work ( `` Y '' ) Theory X and Theory Y are theories of human work motivation and management. They were created by Douglas McGregor while he was working at the MIT Sloan School of Management in the 1950s, and developed further in the 1960s. McGregor 's work was rooted in motivation theory alongside the works of Abraham Maslow, who created the hierarchy of needs. The two theories proposed by McGregor describe contrasting models of workforce motivation applied by managers in human resource management, organizational behavior, organizational communication and organizational development. Theory X explains the importance of heightened supervision, external rewards, and penalties, while Theory Y highlights the motivating role of job satisfaction and encourages workers to approach tasks without direct supervision. Management use of Theory X and Theory Y can affect employee motivation and productivity in different ways, and managers may choose to implement strategies from both theories into their practices. Contents 1 McGregor and Maslow 2 Theory X 3 Theory Y 4 Choosing a management style 5 See also 6 References 7 External links McGregor and Maslow McGregor 's Theory X and Theory Y and Maslow 's hierarchy of needs are both rooted in motivation theory. Maslow 's hierarchy of needs consist of physiological needs ( lowest level ), safety needs, love needs, esteem needs, and self - actualization ( highest level ). According to Maslow, a human is motivated by the level they have not yet reached, and self - actualization can not be met until each of the lower levels has been fulfilled. Assumptions of Theory Y, in relation to Maslow 's hierarchy put an emphasis on employee higher level needs, such as esteem needs and self - actualization. McGregor also believed that self - actualization was the highest level of reward for employees. He theorized that the motivation employees use to reach self - actualization allows them to reach their full potential. This led companies to focus on how their employees were motivated, managed, and led, creating a Theory Y management style which focuses on the drive for individual self -- fulfillment. The next two sections will define and discuss McGregor 's two theories ( 1 ) Theory X ( 2 ) Theory Y and give scenarios when each management style could be used. Theory X Theory X is based on assumptions regarding the typical worker. This management style assumes that the typical worker has little ambition, avoids responsibility, and is individual - goal oriented. In general, Theory X style managers believe their employees are less intelligent, lazier, and work solely for a sustainable income. Management believes employee 's work is based on their own self - interest. Managers who believe employees operate in this manner are more likely to use rewards or punishments as motivation. Due to these assumptions, Theory X concludes the typical workforce operates more efficiently under a hands - on approach to management. Theory X managers believe all actions should be traceable to the individual responsible. This allows the individual to receive either a direct reward or a reprimand, depending on the outcome 's positive or negative nature. This managerial style is more effective when used in a workforce that is not essentially motivated to perform. According to McGregor, there are two opposing approaches to implementing Theory X : the hard approach and the soft approach. The hard approach depends on close supervision, intimidation, and immediate punishment. This approach can potentially yield a hostile, minimally cooperative workforce that may cause resentment towards management. Managers are always looking for mistakes from employees, because they do not trust their work. Theory X is a `` we versus they '' approach, meaning it is the management versus the employees. The soft approach is characterized by leniency and less strict rules in hopes for creating high workplace morale and cooperative employees. Implementing a system that is too soft could result in an entitled, low - output workforce. McGregor believes both ends of the spectrum are too extreme for efficient real - world application. Instead, McGregor feels that an approach located in the middle would be the most effective implementation of Theory X. Because managers and supervisors are in almost complete control of the work, this produces a more systematic and uniform product or work flow. Theory X can benefit a work place that utilizes an assembly line or manual labor. Using this theory in these types of work conditions allows employees to specialize in particular work areas which in turn allows the company to mass - produce a higher quantity and quality of work. Theory Y Theory Y managers assume employees are internally motivated, enjoy their job, and work to better themselves without a direct reward in return. These managers view their employees as one of the most valuable assets to the company, driving the internal workings of the corporation. Employees additionally tend to take full responsibility for their work and do not need close supervision to create a quality product. It is important to note, however, that before an employee carries out their task, they must first obtain the manager 's approval. This ensures work stays efficient, productive, and in - line with company standards. Theory Y managers gravitate towards relating to the worker on a more personal level, as opposed to a more conductive and teaching - based relationship. As a result, Theory Y followers may have a better relationship with their boss, creating a healthier atmosphere in the workplace. In comparison to Theory X, Theory Y incorporates a pseudo-democratic environment to the workforce. This allows the employee to design, construct, and publish their work in a timely manner in co-ordinance to their workload and projects. Although Theory Y encompasses creativity and discussion, it does have limitations. While there is a more personal and individualistic feel, this leaves room for error in terms of consistency and uniformity. The workplace lacks unvarying rules and practices, which could potentially be detrimental to the quality standards of the product and strict guidelines of a given company. Choosing a management style For McGregor, Theory X and Theory Y are not opposite ends of the same continuum, but rather two different continua in themselves. In order to achieve the most efficient production, a combination of both theories may be appropriate. This approach is derived from Fred Fiedler 's research over various leadership styles known as the contingency theory. This theory states that managers evaluate the workplace and choose their leadership style based upon both internal and external conditions presented. Managers who choose the Theory X approach have an authoritarian style of management. An organization with this style of management is made up of several levels of supervisors and managers who actively intervene and micromanage the employees. On the contrary, managers who choose the Theory Y approach have a hands - off style of management. An organization with this style of management encourages participation and values individuals ' thoughts and goals. However, because there is no optimal way for a manager to choose between adopting either Theory X or Theory Y, it is likely that a manager will need to adopt both approaches depending on the evolving circumstances and levels of internal and external locus of control throughout the workplace. See also Scientific management References Jump up ^ `` Douglas M. McGregor ''. iwer.mit.edu. Retrieved 2018 - 04 - 11. ^ Jump up to : `` Beyond Theory Y ''. Harvard Business Review. 1970 - 05 - 01. Retrieved 2018 - 04 - 12. ^ Jump up to : Maslow, A.H. `` A theory of human motivation ''. Psychological Review. 50 ( 4 ) : 370 -- 396. doi : 10.1037 / h0054346. ^ Jump up to : Carson, Charles ( Spring 2018 ). `` A historical view of Douglas McGregor 's Theory Y ''. Journal of Management Decision. 43 ( 3 ) : 450 -- 460 -- via EBSCOhost. ^ Jump up to : Hattangadi, Vidya ( December 2015 ). `` Theory X & Theory Y '' ( PDF ). International Journal of Recent Research Aspects. 2 : 20 -- 21. ^ Jump up to : Fischer, Elizabeth ( October 1, 2009 ). `` Motivation and Leadership in Social Work Management : A Review of Theories and Related Studies ''. Administration in Social Work : 356. ^ Jump up to : NetMBA.com. `` Theory X and Theory Y ''. www.netmba.com. Retrieved 2018 - 04 - 12. Jump up ^ `` Employee Management : Are You X or Are You Y '' ( PDF ). Jump up ^ `` Contingency theory ''. Wikipedia. 2018 - 03 - 18. Jump up ^ `` Theory X and Theory Y : Understanding People 's Motivations ''. Retrieved 2018 - 04 - 11. Jump up ^ Avolio, Bruce J. `` Promoting more integrative strategies for leadership theory - building ''. American Psychologist. 62 ( 1 ) : 25 -- 33. doi : 10.1037 / 0003 - 066x. 62.1. 25. External links A diagram representing Theory X and Theory Y, Alan Chapman, 2002. Another diagram representing Theory X and Theory Y Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Theory_X_and_Theory_Y&oldid=849590062 '' Categories : Organizational behavior Motivational theories Human resource management Hidden categories : Articles needing additional references from October 2015 All articles needing additional references Talk Contents About Wikipedia Беларуская ( тарашкевіца ) ‎ Български Deutsch Español Euskara Français 한국어 Bahasa Indonesia Italiano ქართული Қазақша Bahasa Melayu Nederlands 日本 語 Polski Português Русский Slovenčina کوردی Српски / srpski Svenska Українська Tiếng Việt 中文 16 more Edit links This page was last edited on 10 July 2018, at 01 : 28 ( UTC ). Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. 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Question: the theory x style of management focuses on
Answer: the importance of heightened supervision, external rewards, and penalties