---
title: "Human need and Herzberg's hygiene theory"
subject: "Organization and Management"
chapter: 8
key: "semester_7/organization_and_management:herzberg-human-need"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/organization_and_management/herzberg-human-need
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Human need and Herzberg's hygiene theory

Organization and Management · Chapter 8: Motivation, Leadership and Entrepreneurship

- Asked in: 2074 Chaitra, 2+2+4 marks; 2071 Chaitra, 2+2+4 marks; year not given (asked 2 times)
- Video: [Frederick Herzberg and the Two-factor Theory - Content Models of Motivation](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_qyDfZYfXQ) — Management Courses - Mike Clayton
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/organization_and_management/herzberg-human-need
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/organization_and_management/chapter-8

## Question

What do you mean by human need? How is need used for motivation? Explain Herzberg's hygiene theory of motivation.

## Short answer

A human need is a felt deficiency creating tension that drives action. Managers motivate by identifying unsatisfied needs and tying need satisfaction to performance. Herzberg's two-factor theory distinguishes hygiene factors (salary, working conditions) that prevent dissatisfaction from motivators (achievement, recognition) that create satisfaction.

## Answer

#### Human need
A human need is a felt lack or deficiency, physical, social or psychological, that creates an internal tension and urges a person to take action to remove it. Examples: hunger, security, belonging, respect, achievement.

#### How need is used for motivation
1. Managers first identify the unsatisfied needs of employees (through observation, surveys, talks).
2. They then link the satisfaction of these needs with good performance, offering rewards that meet them.
3. Needs differ by person and level: a junior worker may want wage and security, while a senior engineer wants recognition and a challenging project.
4. Satisfied needs stop motivating, so rewards must change over time.

Example: a bank offers housing loans and SSF for security, recognition awards for esteem, and training for growth.

#### Herzberg's hygiene (two-factor) theory
Frederick Herzberg (1959) interviewed engineers and accountants in Pittsburgh about good and bad job experiences. He found two separate sets of factors.

**1. Hygiene (maintenance) factors:** Their absence causes dissatisfaction, but their presence does not motivate; they only prevent dissatisfaction. Examples: company policy, supervision, salary, working conditions, interpersonal relations, job security, status.

**2. Motivators:** Their presence gives satisfaction and motivation. Examples: achievement, recognition, the work itself, responsibility, advancement, growth.

```text
Dissatisfaction <-- Hygiene absent | Hygiene present --> No dissatisfaction
No satisfaction <-- Motivators absent | present --> Satisfaction
```

**Implication:** Managers must first maintain hygiene factors, then add motivators through job enrichment.

**Criticism:** based on a small sample of professionals, ignores individual differences, and people tend to blame outside factors for failure.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. What is a human need?
   A. A felt lack that creates tension and urges action
   B. Something a person already has
   C. A legal right
   D. A reward from employer
   Answer: A. A need is a felt deficiency creating internal tension that urges action. (Key point: Human need)

2. Why must rewards change over time?
   A. Because managers dislike old rewards
   B. Because satisfied needs stop motivating
   C. Because laws change yearly
   D. Because unsatisfied needs vanish
   Answer: B. Satisfied needs stop motivating, so new rewards for new needs are needed. (Key point: Using needs for motivation)

3. What is the effect of good hygiene factors in Herzberg's theory?
   A. They create strong motivation
   B. They create satisfaction
   C. They only prevent dissatisfaction
   D. They cause dissatisfaction
   Answer: C. Hygiene factors only remove or prevent dissatisfaction; they do not motivate. (Key point: Hygiene factors)

4. Which is a motivator in Herzberg's theory?
   A. Salary
   B. Achievement and recognition
   C. Company policy
   D. Working conditions
   Answer: B. Achievement, recognition, work itself, responsibility and growth are motivators. (Key point: Motivators)

## Related in Organization and Management

- [Motivation and Herzberg's hygiene theory](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Forganization_and_management%3Aherzberg-hygiene) — Organization and Management, chapter 8

## Related in other subjects

- [Motivation: Maslow's hierarchy and Herzberg's theory](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Amotivation-maslow-herzberg) — Construction Management, chapter 10
- [Motivation and Herzberg theory](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Amotivation-herzberg) — Construction Management, chapter 10, asked 4×
- [Short note: Maslow's theory of motivation](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Amaslow-theory-note) — Construction Management, chapter 10