Motivation Theories

The ERG theory was developed by Clayton Alderfer and it is based on the concept of frustration regression to describe how how we deal with our unmet needs. Frustration regression is the situation in which we are unable to satisfy a need and, in reaction, regress to a lower need. My example happened many years ago. When I was younger, I played biddy basketball. I played in this league from about the 2nd grade up to the 5th grade. At the end of each season, they had tryouts for the All Star team. This was picked by all the coaches. After tryouts my first year, I didn't make the All Star team and at first was discouraged. But, instead of settling for just playing on a team every year, I worked harder and made the All Star team every year after that. So, this example goes against Aldefer's theory in that I didn't give up and settle, but I tried harder and reached my goal.