When workers felt unhappy, Herzberg identified the causes as?

• A. Intrinsic motivators
• B. Growth
• C. Recognition
• D. Extrinsic/External factors (Hygiene Factors)

Answer: (D)

Herzberg's two-factor theory distinguishes hygiene factors (external, environmental aspects) from motivators (intrinsic aspects of the work). When workers feel unhappy, the causes are hygiene factors—extrinsic elements of the job such as pay, supervision, company policies, working conditions, and job security. If these factors are inadequate or missing, dissatisfaction arises. Improving hygiene factors can reduce unhappiness, but it doesn’t by itself create lasting motivation—unhappiness is tied to these external conditions being poor.

The other items are examples of motivators, which are internal to the job and related to growth, achievement, and recognition. Their presence boosts satisfaction and motivation when they exist, but their presence doesn’t compensate for missing hygiene factors. That’s why the correct understanding is that unhappiness stems from hygiene factors.