The Hawthorne Studies – Term Paper – Khải Lê
Search
Essays
Sign up
Sign in
Contact us
Tweet
Index
/History Other
The Hawthorne Studies
2. Behavioral ApproachIt Refers to An approach to management that emphasizes improving management through an understanding the psychological makeup of people.There are 3 key elements of this approachThe Hawthorne StudiesThe Hawthorne experiments were groundbreaking studies in human relations that were conducted between 1924 and 1932 at Western Electric Companys Hawthorne Works in Chicago. It originally designed as illumination studies to determine the relationship between lighting and productivity, the initial tests were sponsored by the National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academy of Sciences. In 1927 a research team from the Harvard Business School was invited to join the studies after the illumination tests drew unanticipated results. Two additional series of tests, the relay-assembly tests and the bank-wiring tests, followed the illumination tests. The studies assumed the label Hawthorne experiments or studies from the location of the Western Electric plant. Concluded by 1932, the Hawthorne studies, with emphasis on a new interpretation of group behavior, were the basis for the school of human relations. (Chlldress, 2005)The Hawthorne effect is a term referring to the tendency of some people to work harder and perform better when they are participants in an experiment. Individuals may change their behavior due to the attention they are receiving from researchers rather than because of any manipulation of independent variables. (Cherry, 2016)Theory X & theory Y of Douglas McGregorTheory X and Theory Y were first explained by McGregor in his book, The Human Side of Enterprise, and they refer to two styles of management – authoritarian (Theory X) and participative (Theory Y). (Team, 2010)[pic 1]It describes two contrasting sets of assumptions that managers make about their people:Theory X – people dislike work, have little ambition, and are unwilling to take responsibility. Managers with this assumption motivate their people using a rigid “carrot and stick” approach, which rewards good performance and punishes poor performance. Theory Y – people are self-motivated and enjoy the challenge of work. Managers with this assumption have a more collaborative relationship with their people, and motivate them by allowing them to work on their own initiative, giving them responsibility, and empowering them to make decisions.
Maslow’s Need HierarchyMaslows (1943, 1954) hierarchy of needs is a motivational theory in psychology comprising a five tier model of human needs, often depicted as hierarchical levels within a pyramid. Maslow stated that people are motivated to achieve certain needs and that some needs take precedence over others. Our most basic need is for physical survival, and this will be the first thing that motivates our behavior. Once that level is fulfilled the next level up is what motivates us, and so on. (McLeod, 2007) Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Source: (Mcleod, 2007) [pic 2]1. Biological and Physiological needs – air, food, drink, shelter, warmth, sex, sleep.2. Safety needs – protection from elements, security, order, law, stability, freedom from fear.3. Love and belongingness needs – friendship, intimacy, trust and acceptance, receiving and giving affection and love. Affiliating, being part of a group (family, friends, work).4. Esteem needs – achievement, mastery, independence, status, dominance, prestige, self-respect and the respect from others.5. Self-Actualization needs – realizing personal potential, self-fulfillment, seeking personal growth and peak experiences.Advantages of behavioral approachIts use of rigorous, experimental methods of research enhances the credibility of science as a scientific discipline. (Mimi, 2017)It provides strong arguments for the nurture side of the nature/nurture debate. (Mimi, 2017)The approach has provided a number of practical applications and techniques to shape behavior, e.g. the use of rewards in education. (Mimi, 2017)Disadvantage of behavioral approach:It ignores the mental processes that are involved in learning unlike the cognitive approach who views these processes as important. According to the behaviorist approach, people can only learn as a result of their experiences. (Mimi, 2017)The use of animals in applying the laws of learning to humans has been criticized as humans are more complex than animals. (Mimi, 2017)The principle of operant and classical conditioning do not account for spontaneous behavior in humans. (Mimi, 2017)It rejects the possible role of biological factors in human behavior, unlike the biological approach which considers nature and important factor. (Mimi, 2017)Behaviorists view humans has passive learners, unlike humanistic psychologists who view humans as active agents – able to control and determine their own development. (Mimi, 2017)Example of behavioral approach:DaycareCompanies that offer daycare for children of employees engage in behavioral management. The idea is that if employees know their children are nearby and are well cared for, work can proceed with fewer distractions. This is an example of trusting that the employee wants to work and giving the employee a work environment that doesnt pit the job against family life. Providing daycare is a behavioral approach to getting the most out of employees, because it focuses on employee satisfaction. (Johnston, 2017)This refers to the ‘Maslow’s Need Hierarchy’ – the stages of basic needs and psychological needs. Making employees’ family part of a company and feel affection, love.
Continue for 5 more pages »
Read full document
Download as (for upgraded members)
Citation Generator
MLA 7
CHICAGO
(2017, 04). The Hawthorne Studies. EssaysForStudent.com. Retrieved 04, 2017, from
“The Hawthorne Studies” EssaysForStudent.com. 04 2017. 2017. 04 2017 <
"The Hawthorne Studies." EssaysForStudent.com. EssaysForStudent.com, 04 2017. Web. 04 2017. <
"The Hawthorne Studies." EssaysForStudent.com. 04, 2017. Accessed 04, 2017.
Essay Preview
By: Khải Lê
Submitted: April 21, 2017
Essay Length: 1,351 Words / 6 Pages
Paper type: Term Paper Views: 489
Report this essay
Tweet
Related Essays
The Hawthorne Studies and the Norms of Behaviour in the Workplace
Management theories could be traced in 1800s during the industrial revolution and factory growth time (Bartol, Tein, Matthews, Ritson & Scott-Ladd 2006, p.16). The history
400 Words | 2 Pages
Human Relation and Hawthorne Studies
University of Namibia Name: Vatandapi Hiiho St No: 200503910 Lecturer: Prof. A. Du’Pisani Subject: Public Policy Topic: What does the �notion’ of policy studies entails,
2,437 Words | 10 Pages
Evaluate the Contribution of the Hawthorne Studies to the Development of Management Theory and Practice
Hawthorne Studies have been subjected to many criticisms. Yet, the evolvement of many of the management theories today would not have come about without the
1,673 Words | 7 Pages
Hawthorne Studies
References Buchanan, D A. and Huczynski, A. (2001). Organizational Behaviour: An Introductory Text. (4th Edn.). Harlow :Prentice Hall Bennett R (1997). Organisational Behaviour. (3rd Edn)
616 Words | 3 Pages
Similar Topics
Case Study Gerber Babyfoods
Study KingcomicsCom
Get Access to 89,000+ Essays and Term Papers
Join 209,000+ Other Students
High Quality Essays and Documents
Sign up
© 2008–2020 EssaysForStudent.comFree Essays, Book Reports, Term Papers and Research Papers
Essays
Sign up
Sign in
Contact us
Site Map
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service
Facebook
Twitter