Final answer:
The ERG theory, proposed by Clayton Alderfer, suggests that individuals can have multiple needs that are active at the same time, in contrast to Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ERG theory, proposed by Clayton Alderfer, suggests that more than one need may be working at the same time, in contrast to Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory. According to Alderfer, individuals have three basic needs: existence needs, relatedness needs, and growth needs.
Unlike Maslow's theory, the ERG theory does not require lower-level needs to be satisfied before higher-level needs. Instead, individuals can have multiple needs that are active at the same time and can be satisfied in any order.