Editing ERG theory (section)

==Overview==
[[File:Alderfer's ERG Theory.svg|thumb|ERG theory. When needs in a category are satisfied, an individual will invest more efforts in the higher category. When needs in a category are frustrated, an individual will invest more efforts in the lower category.]]

In 1969, [[psychologist]] Clayton Alderfer developed [[Abraham Maslow]]'s hierarchy of needs by categorizing the hierarchy into his '''ERG theory''' ([[Existence]], [[Coefficient of relationship|Relatedness]] and [[Personal development|Growth]]). The existence category is concerned with the need for providing the basic material existence requirements of humans. The relatedness category is concerned with the desire for maintaining important [[interpersonal relationship]]s. The growth category is concerned with the desire for [[personal development]]. These include the intrinsic component from Maslow's esteem category and the characteristics included under [[self-actualization]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kurt |first=Dr Serhat |date=2023-10-09 |title=Alderfer’s ERG Theory |url=https://educationlibrary.org/alderfers-erg-theory/ |access-date=2023-10-09 |website=Education Library |language=en-US}}</ref>

Alderfer categorized Maslow's physiological needs and Maslow's safety needs into the existence category, Maslow's social needs and Maslow's extrinsic component of self-esteem needs into the relatedness category, and Maslow's intrinsic component of self-esteem needs and Maslow's self-actualization needs into the growth category. Alderfer also proposed a progression and regression theory to go along with the ERG theory: he said that when needs in a lower category are satisfied, an individual will invest more efforts in the higher category, and when needs in a higher category are frustrated, an individual will invest more efforts in the lower category. For example, if [[self-esteem]] or self-actualization is not met then an individual will invest more effort in the relatedness category in the hopes of achieving the higher need.<ref>[http://courses.washington.edu/inde495/lece.htm E - Motivation in Organizations], [[University of Washington]] Industrial Engineering course syllabus, accessed on 25 June 2024</ref>