TABLE 12.1.

Theory X–Theory Y

Theory X	Theory Y
Work is inherently distasteful to people	Work is as natural as play in favorable conditions
Most people are not ambitious, have little desire for responsibility, and prefer to be directed	Self-control is indispensable in achieving goals
Most people have little capacity for creatively solving organizational problems	The capacity for creativity in solving organizational problems is widely distributed in the population
Motivation occurs only at physiological and safety levels	Motivation exists at the social, esteem, and self-actualization levels, as well as the physiological and security levels
Most people must be closely controlled and often coerced to achieve organizational objectives	People can be self-directed and creative at work if properly encouraged

Source: Adapted from McGregor D. The human side of enterprise. New York: McGraw-Hill; 1960.