Defense mechanisms as an alternate explanation of Herzberg's motivator-hygiene results

Abstract

Tested 2 hypotheses derived from V. H. Vroom's explanation of F. Hertzberg's (see pa, vol. 34:4849) motivator-hygiene results. 3 groups of supervisors (n = 110) were given questionnaires similar to those used by hertzberg. Conditions evoking defensive reactions were applied to 1/2 of each group. Responses were examined to determine if defensive ss attributed favorable outcomes to their own actions and unfavorable ones to factors beyond their control, as predicted by vroom. Results do not support these hypotheses, indicating that vroom's explanation is not a tenable alternative to that of herzberg. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)