How do Abraham Maslow's and Clayton Alderfer's need theories differ?

The distinction between Maslow's and Alderfer's need theories lies significantly in their approach to how needs are structured and how individuals navigate these needs when they are not fully satisfied. Alderfer's model, known as the ERG theory, stands for Existence, Relatedness, and Growth. Unlike Maslow, who proposed a strict hierarchy where individuals must fulfill needs at one level before progressing to higher levels, Alderfer suggested that individuals can operate on multiple levels simultaneously and can toggle between different needs based on their circumstances.

The correct answer highlights that Alderfer acknowledged a more flexible interaction with lower-level needs, allowing individuals to refocus on these needs if their higher-level needs remain unmet. This means that if someone is struggling to meet their growth needs (self-actualization or esteem), they might revert to focusing on their relatedness (social interactions) or existence (basic material needs) without strictly moving back down a hierarchy as Maslow suggested. This aspect of Alderfer's theory offers a more dynamic understanding of human motivation compared to Maslow's more rigid structure.

In contrast, Maslow’s theory emphasizes a sequential progression through a hierarchy of needs: physiological, safety, love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualization, positing that