Theory X

proper noun

The theory that employees are inherently lazy and irresponsible and will tend to avoid work unless closely supervised and given incentives.

Opposite
Theory Y
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Meanings

proper noun
  1. The theory that employees are inherently lazy and irresponsible and will tend to avoid work unless closely supervised and given incentives.

Synonyms & antonyms

Opposite
Theory Y

Origin

Introduced by Douglas McGregor in the 1960s.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

Theory X. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Theory%20X

MLA

“Theory X.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Theory%20X. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Theory X,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Theory%20X.

Source: Theory X on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.