Which theory posits that employees require close supervision due to presumed laziness?

Which theory posits that employees require close supervision due to presumed laziness?

• A. Direct approach
• B. Bargaining
• C. Theory X
• D. See-feel-change paradigm

Answer: (C)

Understanding management beliefs about motivation helps explain why supervision can be very tight in some setups. Theory X holds that people inherently dislike work, avoid responsibility, and need to be directed and controlled. Because of this view, managers who follow Theory X rely on close supervision, strict rules, and external coercion to get tasks done. This contrasts with Theory Y, which suggests people can be self-motivated, seek responsibility, and can be trusted to manage their own work, leading to more participative leadership. The other names describe different ideas that don’t center on beliefs about workers’ intrinsic motivation and supervision style, so they don’t fit the scenario described.

Understanding management beliefs about motivation helps explain why supervision can be very tight in some setups. Theory X holds that people inherently dislike work, avoid responsibility, and need to be directed and controlled. Because of this view, managers who follow Theory X rely on close supervision, strict rules, and external coercion to get tasks done.

This contrasts with Theory Y, which suggests people can be self-motivated, seek responsibility, and can be trusted to manage their own work, leading to more participative leadership.

The other names describe different ideas that don’t center on beliefs about workers’ intrinsic motivation and supervision style, so they don’t fit the scenario described.