Principles of Management CLEP Practice Exam 2025 – Your Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

Theory X is a management concept developed by Douglas McGregor, which posits a certain viewpoint about employee motivation and behavior. Managers who adopt a Theory X perspective tend to believe that employees are inherently lazy, lack ambition, and dislike work. Consequently, they feel that these employees require close supervision and direction to ensure that they fulfill their tasks effectively.

In this context, the belief that employees need to be directed and closely supervised reflects the Theory X mentality. This approach emphasizes a more authoritative style of management, where leaders impose strict controls and guidelines to achieve productivity. Managers operating under this assumption are likely to employ tactics such as monitoring, oversight, and enforcement of rules, since they do not trust employees to take initiative or responsibility for their work.

In contrast, the other beliefs outlined in the other options stem from a more positive view of employee motivation, commonly associated with Theory Y. For instance, the idea that employees are primarily motivated by intrinsic rewards, can self-motivate under the right conditions, or respond positively to recognition and praise, reflects a more optimistic perspective that assumes employees are self-driven and capable of taking responsibility for their own outcomes. These views are not aligned with the Theory X approach, which predominantly focuses on the need for control and guidance.