Theory X is a management concept developed by Douglas McGregor in the 1960s. It suggests that employees are inherently lazy, dislike work, and need to be closely supervised and controlled to be productive. Managers who adopt this theory often use strict rules and a top-down approach to ensure tasks are completed. Under Theory X, motivation is primarily driven by external factors such as rewards and punishments. This perspective assumes that workers are not self-motivated and require constant oversight. As a result, organizations may implement rigid structures and micromanagement to maintain productivity and achieve goals.