Joe was hired out of college for a starting salary of $55 000 a year. Two months after he started, he found out that Nancy was hired at the same time for $65 000. At first he was angry but then he found out that she had five years of previous experience and that she knew two more computer languages than he did. Then he wasn't angry anymore. This illustrates the ________ motivation theory.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This situation exemplifies the equity theory of motivation, where individuals compare their inputs to outcomes ratio to that of their colleagues. Joe was initially angry because he believed that he and Nancy were equal in terms of qualifications and experience, yet she was receiving a higher salary. However, when he learned about the added value that she brought to the organization, he no longer felt that the discrepancy was unfair or unequal.

Joe Was Hired Out of College for a Starting Salary