Theory X is a negative view of people which assumes that employees dislike work, are lazy, avoid responsibility, and must be coerced to perform.
Theory X is the assumption that employees dislike work and will try to avoid it.
Theory X is a philosophy of management with a positive perception of subordinate’s potential for general attitudes toward work. It assumes that subordinates can be self-directing, will seek responsibility, and find work as natural as play or rest.
In Douglas McGregor’s theory of managerial style, the managerial assumptions that employees dislike work, responsibility, and accountability and must be closely directed and controlled to be motivated to perform.