Which theorist is associated with Theory X and Theory Y?

• A. Douglas McGregor
• B. Abraham Maslow
• C. Frederick Herzberg
• D. Elton Mayo

Answer: (A)

Understanding how managers view people shapes leadership. Theory X and Theory Y capture two opposing assumptions about motivation and behavior at work. Theory X assumes employees dislike work, avoid responsibility, and must be tightly controlled, leading to anautocratic style. Theory Y assumes work can be fulfilling, people will self-direct and seek responsibility when given support, resulting in a participative leadership approach. These concepts were introduced by Douglas McGregor, connecting beliefs about people to management methods. Other well-known theories, like Maslow's hierarchy of needs, Herzberg's two-factor theory, and Mayo's Hawthorne studies, offer different perspectives on motivation and workplace behavior, but they do not present X and Y as a paired framework.