Name a content theory developed by McClelland.

Name a content theory developed by McClelland.

• A. Need Theory.
• B. Achievement, Affiliation, and Power Motives Theory.
• C. Motivator-Hygiene Theory.
• D. Equity Theory.

Answer: (B)

McClelland's theory zeroes in on three specific needs that motivate people: achievement, affiliation, and power. This makes it a content theory because it identifies particular internal drivers that push behavior, rather than explaining how motivation happens over time. The reason this choice is the best is that it directly names the three motives attributed to McClelland, distinguishing it from other well-known theories: Motivator-Hygiene is Herzberg’s distinction between factors that cause satisfaction versus dissatisfaction; Equity Theory focuses on fairness in exchanges and perceived equity; and a generic “Need Theory” label often points to Maslow or other frameworks, not McClelland. In practice, knowing someone’s dominant need can guide how to design roles or tasks—for example, giving high achievers challenging goals, those with strong affiliation collaborative opportunities, and those with a high need for power leadership responsibilities.

McClelland's theory zeroes in on three specific needs that motivate people: achievement, affiliation, and power. This makes it a content theory because it identifies particular internal drivers that push behavior, rather than explaining how motivation happens over time. The reason this choice is the best is that it directly names the three motives attributed to McClelland, distinguishing it from other well-known theories: Motivator-Hygiene is Herzberg’s distinction between factors that cause satisfaction versus dissatisfaction; Equity Theory focuses on fairness in exchanges and perceived equity; and a generic “Need Theory” label often points to Maslow or other frameworks, not McClelland. In practice, knowing someone’s dominant need can guide how to design roles or tasks—for example, giving high achievers challenging goals, those with strong affiliation collaborative opportunities, and those with a high need for power leadership responsibilities.