Educational Implications of Mcgregors Theory on Teaching Method

Educational Implications of Mcgregors Theory on Teaching Method

McGregor’s Theory X and Y: McGregor propounded theories x and y which explain the nature of man as viewed by different schools of thought. Ifeagwu (2000) summarized them as shown below.

Theory x

1. The average human being has an inherent dislike for work and will avoid it if he can.
2. Because of this, most people must be corrected, controlled, directed, and threatened with punishment to get them put adequate effort towards the achievement of organizational objectives.

Theory y

1. The expenditure of physical and mental effort in work is as play or rest.
2. External control and the threat of punishment are not the only means of bringing about efforts towards organizational objectives. Man will exercise self direction and self-control in the service of objectives to which he is committed.
3. The average human being learns, under proper conditions not only to accept but to seek responsibility.
4. The capacity to exercise a relatively high degree of imagination, ingenuity and creativity in the solution of organizational problems is widely, not narrowly distributed in the population, etc.

Educational Implications of McGregors Theory on Teaching Method

The theory x teacher will use the carrot and stick approach to motivation because he believes that the potentials of students are static, unimprovable and unimpressive. Using the stick approach, he will discipline, control, threaten, cajole and carry out constant monitoring of students’ work. Using the carrot approach, he will reward, praise, and blame students.

The theory y teacher is concerned with students’ potentials for growth and development than with their abilities. He sees the student as a person to be considered and nurtured. He seeks to encourage students to attain greater heights and achieve their best. He constantly makes changes and innovations in his method of teaching. He creates right conditions for students to find sufficient satisfaction in their work to invest more time than if forced.

The theory y teacher has a wider range of methods and strategies on the situation on ground. In order words, he could be autocratic, totally permissive or in between while aiming at fulfilling specific objectives for the chosen topic. His sensitivity to students’ needs makes him flexible in his teaching style. Implications of Mcgregor’s theory on teaching method, Implications of Mcgregor’s theory on teaching method.