He explains the results through his two-factor theory, also known as motivator-hygiene theory. This theory identifies motivator factors as primary causes of job satisfaction and hygiene factors as primary cause of job dissatisfaction. .
Hygiene factors relate more to the setting in which individuals work, where as motivator factors relate to what people actually do in their work. Examples of hygiene factors include: working conditions, relationships with co-workers and base wage or salary. Motivator factors include: achievement, recognition and advancement. A key controversial point to remember about two-factor theory is that job satisfaction and job dissatisfaction are separate measurements. By simply increasing job satisfaction you will not automatically decrease job dissatisfaction you will only prevent from being less dissatisfied on those matters. .
On the contrary to content theories are the process theories. An example of one process theory is the Equity theory. The equity theory states that people are motivated to behave in ways that restore or maintain equity in situations. It is basically based on social comparison. An example of this is a test in school. When you get your grade, do you try to find out what everyone else got and compare? Once you know where you stand, this then determines how hard you work to either do better or maintain that grade. This equally applies to the motivation consequences of rewards received at work. The text uses an example from an Ally Bank commercial. The commercial depicts two young girls with a man sitting at a table. The man asks the first girl if she would like a pony. When the girl says yes, he clicks and a toy pony appears, the girl is happy. He then turns to the second girl and asks the same question. When she says yes, he clicks and a real pony appears. The first girl was happy with her toy pony until she sees the second girl get a real pony.