Clayton Alderfer developed the ERG Theory of Motivation in 1969 as an expansion of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. The ERG Theory categorizes human needs into three categories: Existence needs which are basic needs for survival, Relatedness needs which are social and family needs for relationships, and Growth needs which are needs for personal development and fulfillment. Alderfer argued that more than one set of needs can be active at the same time and that frustration in higher level needs can cause people to refocus on lower level needs.

1. Alderfer’s ERG Theory
A Motivational Theory

2. Alderfer’s
ERG
Theory
Existence Needs
Relatedness Needs
Growth Needs

3. Maslow Hierarchyof Needs Expansion

4. Overview
The ERG Theory of Motivation
was developed by Clayton
Alderfer in 1969. It was
developed as an expansion of
the ideas proposed by Maslow
with the Hierarchy of Needs.

5. Existence
Needs:
The basic needs to
meet the minimum
level of existence

6. Relatedness
Needs:
Social and family
needs, the need to
feel loved and belong
somewhere

7. Growth
Needs:
The need to
produce something
useful; to be
creative or engage
in meaningful tasks

8. Alderfer’s ERG
Theory
Joshua Render
https://agile-mercurial.com
https://agile-mercurial.com/2019/08/27/alderfers-erg-theory-of-
motivation/
Sources
Alderfer, C. P. (1989). Theories Reflecting My
Personal Experience and Life Development. The
Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 25(4), 351–
365. https://doi.org/10.1177/00218863890250040
4
Caulton, J.R. (2012) The Development and Use of
the Theory of ERG. Retrieved
from: https://www.regent.edu/acad/global/publicat
ions/elj/vol5iss1/ELJ_Vol5No1_Caulton_pp2-8.pdf