Question 5 OR (b)

Theory X and Theory Y distinguished

7 marks

Time to write: About 14 minutes

From an older CBCS paper

Question

Question 5 OR (b) · 7 marks

Distinguish between Theory X and Theory Y of motivation.

Reworded from the university paper; the task is the same. The original paper belongs to the University of Delhi. See DU's question bank.

Before you write

Read off the question and its marks

14 minfor 7 marks

Read from the question

Distinguish betweenSet the differences out in a table, basis by basis, not as two separate essays.

Write it in this order

Read; underline the asks; jot your points 1 min
1 Background ½ mark 2 min
2 Theory X 1½ marks 2 min
3 Theory Y 1 mark 2 min
4 Distinction between the two 3 marks 5 min
5 Caution and conclusion, with example 1 mark 1 min
Check: every ask answered, key terms underlined 1 min

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Short on time? Trim steps 2 and 4 evenly rather than skip one: each is capped at its own marks. End with step 5 in a line or two.

Try it first. About 14 minutes for 7 marks. Write it out, then open the solution.

Solution

Hover or tap a marked figure, like 72,000, to see how it is made and where else it appears.

Background

Douglas McGregor set out two contrasting sets of assumptions about human nature, which he called Theory X and Theory Y, in The Human Side of Enterprise (1960). His work drew on Elton Mayo's criticism of the rabble hypothesis, the belief that workers are a disorganised crowd interested only in self-interest and in earning as much as possible for as little work as possible, and on Maslow's hierarchy of needs.

Theory X

Theory X underlies the traditional organisation, with its centralised decisions, supervisor-subordinate pyramid and external control of work. It assumes that most people prefer to be directed, avoid responsibility, want security above all, and are moved by money, fringe benefits and fear of punishment. Managers who hold it structure the work, control it and supervise closely. McGregor argued that these assumptions, applied to everyone, are often wrong, and that direction and control may not work as a way of motivating people once their physiological and safety needs are reasonably well met and their higher needs (social, esteem and self-actualisation) have begun to dominate.

Theory Y

Theory Y assumes that people are not lazy or unreliable by nature; properly motivated, they can direct themselves and be creative at work, and achieve their own goals best by working towards the organisation's goals. Management's task is to release this potential.

Distinction between Theory X and Theory Y

The differences in assumptions are:

Basis	Theory X	Theory Y
Control	People must be closely controlled and often coerced to reach objectives	People can direct and control themselves if properly motivated
Needs that motivate	Only physiological and safety needs	Social, esteem and self-actualisation needs as well as the lower needs
Attitude to work	Work is distasteful to most people	Work is as natural as play when conditions are favourable
Creativity	Few people can solve organisational problems creatively	The capacity for creativity is widely spread
Ambition	Most people lack ambition and prefer to be directed	Self-control is often essential to achieving goals
Managerial style	Directive, with structure and close supervision	Supportive and facilitating

A caution

It is tempting to call Theory X bad and Theory Y good, but that is a mistake: no two situations, individuals or groups are alike, and a manager who is basically Theory Y may still direct and supervise some people closely for a time until they are ready for more freedom. A software firm in Bengaluru may give experienced developers flexible goals and little supervision while keeping new trainees on a closely monitored schedule for their first months.

Conclusion

Theory X and Theory Y differ in what they assume about people, and therefore in how they manage them: one through control and the other through self-direction. The manager's task is to judge which assumptions fit the people and the situation.

Where the 7 marks sit

#	Component	Marks
1	Background	0.5
2	Theory X	1.5
3	Theory Y	1
4	Distinction between the two	3
5	Caution and conclusion, with example	1
	Total	7

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