ERG Theory
- Theory / Concept Name
- ERG Theory
- Description
Alderfer condensed Maslow's five levels into three categories and removed the strict hierarchical progression.
Three Needs
- Existence (E): Material and physiological desires — corresponds to Maslow's physiological and safety needs.
- Relatedness (R): Social and status desires — corresponds to social and esteem needs.
- Growth (G): Desire for personal development and self-actualisation.
Key Differences from Maslow
- Multiple needs simultaneously: More than one need can operate at once (no strict hierarchy).
- Frustration-regression principle: If a higher need is frustrated, an individual may regress to a lower, more concrete need. Maslow's theory has no regression.
- Existence needs can re-emerge even when satisfied if higher needs remain unmet.
Significance
ERG theory is more flexible than Maslow's; it better reflects the reality that people are motivated by multiple needs simultaneously.
- Theorist / Pioneer
- Clayton Alderfer
- Year
- 1969
- Category
- Motivation