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Douglas McGregor's Theory X and Theory Y
The work of Douglas McGregor, the renowned social psychologist at MIT's Sloan School of Management who studied the theoretical foundations of human motivation in the 1960's, was premised on a binary conception of managerial perception known as Theory X and Theory Y According to McGregor, managers practicing Theory X operate under the assumption that employees are inherently lazy and unwilling to pursue greater responsibility, while managers who adhere to Theory Y assume that their workers are ambitious in the self-motivated pursuit of personal goals, and these contrasting approaches viewing a workforce necessarily informs management's choice of leadership style. Under the working conditions fostered by Theory X, management must develop strict organizational controls to assure even minimal levels of efficiency, with managers providing close supervision to assure compliance, and punitive measures used as a threat-based incentive. Conversely, the liberated style of Theory Y management empowers employees...
While the merits of applying Theory X to modern workplaces, including offices, factories, and other complex organizations, have been roundly discredited in the decades after McGregor's groundbreaking work, there are still many occupations which are constrained by this authoritarian style of management. After completing the "X-Y Theory Questionnaire" on www.businessballs.com, I am now better informed as to whether or not my own superiors at work view my employment there through the perspective of Theory X or Theory Y
Q1: How do your two scores relate to your experience at work?
The first part of the "X-Y Theory Questionnaire" gauged the tendency of my managers at work to engage in Theory X or Theory Y motivational practices, based on my response to a number of survey questions regarding my relationship with my boss, my ability to…
References
Chapman, A. (2002, March 13). 'X-Y theory' questionnaire. Retrieved from http://www.businessballs.com/mcgregorxytheorytest.pdf
Hindle, T. (2008, October 06). Theories x and y. The Economist. Retrieved from http://www.economist.com/node/12370445
McGregor, D., The Human Side of Enterprise. McGraw-Hill, 1960; annotated edn, McGraw- Hill, 2006
Theory X and Theory Y When working with people, regardless of the organization, one must be cognizant of the way individuals are motivated. Motivation, in fact, is one of the basic driving forces that allow individuals to work, change, and even actualize their internal and external goals. Much of the background on motivation is based on the work of Maslow, not only surrounding human needs, but the manner in which those
Rather than continually telling people what to do, Theory Y managers believe that people actually want to work and do a good job and that "people will apply self-control and self-direction in the pursuit of organisational objectives, without external control or the threat of punishment" (Chapman 2013). The managers who have applied this philosophy to their leadership and show great trust and confidence in the ability of workers to
McGregor's Theory X and Y: Douglas McGregor developed Theory X and Theory Y as models in behavioral science approach after assessing the existing theories regarding people's behavior at when working. The theories, which have become significant concepts in understanding individuals' behaviors, describe two opposing opinions regarding human behavior at work. McGregor introduced these theories in mid-1940s and became one of the most famous behavioral theorists because of his significant contributions to
Theory X and Theory Y Select organizational leaders analysis activity current research. Critique leader Douglas MacGregor's Theory X Theory Y Identify proper category leader assessment. Include examples situations actions reflect type leader . Theory X versus Theory Y: Apple vs. Google According to Douglas McGregor' analysis of managerial personality styles, managers fall into two basic 'types,' that of Theory X or Theory Y Theory X managers tend to exert authority through a traditional
Theory X & Theory Y Douglas McGregor's Theory X Theory Y are a set of dichotomous views about human nature that guide management. Theory X holds that humans generally dislike work, are irresponsible and require close supervision to do their jobs; Theory Y holds that humans are generally industrious, creative and able to assume responsibility (eNotes, 2006). These theories are said to guide management styles, because they imply that the role
Mcgregor Theory X and Y Douglas McGregor came up with two contrasting theories in 1960 that he called Theory X and theory Y for lack of a more suitable title. These two theories have had a profound impact on management studies as they tend to focus on managerial approaches which are grounded in certain beliefs and attitude towards the employees. These two theories should not be confused as being the two extremes