Who developed the Motivator-Hygiene Theory?

• A. Abraham Maslow
• B. Frederick Herzberg
• C. B.F. Skinner
• D. McGregor

Answer: (B)

The idea here is that motivation at work comes from two distinct kinds of factors. The Motivator-Hygiene Theory, developed by Frederick Herzberg, splits workplace influences into motivators and hygiene factors. Motivators are aspects rooted in the work itself—achievement, recognition, the work’s meaningfulness, responsibility, and opportunities for personal growth—that can raise job satisfaction when present. Hygiene factors are related to the context in which the job is done—salary, company policies, supervision, working conditions, and coworker relationships—that can prevent dissatisfaction but don’t by themselves create lasting motivation.

In a criminal justice setting, this means that to truly motivate staff, you’d want to ensure the work is engaging and offers growth and recognition (the motivators), while also making sure basic conditions are fair and supportive (the hygiene factors). This theory helps explain why simply increasing pay or improving supervision might cut dissatisfaction but won’t necessarily boost deep, sustained motivation unless the job itself feels meaningful and rewarding.

Other theories are about different ideas: Maslow’s hierarchy looks at a broader ladder of needs; Skinner emphasizes reinforcement and behavior shaping; McGregor contrasts management assumptions about workers. But Herzberg’s two-factor framework specifically explains how both the nature of the job and the work environment differently impact motivation and dissatisfaction.