Deck 11: Motivation

Question 1

There are three main elements in the motivation process. Which of the following is NOT one of them?

A) needs
B) cognitive activities
C) rewards
D) measurement

Answer 1

measurement

Question 2

The nature of motivation is such that we judge another's level or degree of motivation by:

A) inference from the person's behaviour.
B) testing.
C) measuring goals achieved.
D) observing the person's ratio of inputs to satisfaction.

Answer 2

inference from the person's behaviour.

Question 3

Motivation is one of three major ingredients which are important for successful performance; the other two are environmental conditions and:

A) rewards
B) persistence
C) ability
D) role models.

Answer 3

ability

Question 4

In the simplest terms, motivation theory holds that our ____________ and our ____________ interact in some manner so as to lead to various behaviours and subsequently, rewards.

A) hopes / aspirations
B) plans / goals
C) needs / cognitions
D) processes / reinforcements

Question 5

In management, needs theories are highly relevant to alert mangers to their employees' needs. Which of the following in NOT a needs theory?

A) acquired
B) ERG
C) equity
D) two-factor.

Question 6

According to Maslow, when do individuals move to the next hierarchical level?

A) when the need has been fulfilled.
B) when a need has not been totally fulfilled.
C) when an earlier need has just begun to be fulfilled.
D) when another person encourages the individual to move on.

Question 7

Two core ideas in Maslow's hierarchy of needs motivation theory are, first, at any given time some needs are more important to an individual than are other needs and, second,

A) the fixed-interval schedule of reinforcement is most effective in matching behaviour to organisational expectations.
B) satisfied needs are no longer motivators.
C) each level of needs must be nearly 100 per cent satisfied before individuals turn their attention to the next level.
D) sooner or later everyone works their way through all five levels of the need hierarchy.

Question 8

Herzberg's two-factor theory of motivation includes:

A) motivators and hygiene factors.
B) existence factors and hygiene factors.
C) positive factors and negative factors.
D) vicarious factors and negative factors.

Question 9

Why is the two-factor theory significant?

A) It focused attention on the need to provide motivators.
B) It suggested that in every occupation there are equally good and bad situations employees face every day.
C) Factors which make individuals satisfied and dissatisfied were associated with job content.
D) All of the given answers.

Question 10

According to Herzberg, which is NOT a motivator?

A) achievement.
B) working conditions.
C) responsibility.
D) advancement.

Question 11

The ERG needs theory of motivation most obviously differs from Maslow's needs hierarchy theory in that the ERG theory:

A) combines needs into three levels rather than five.
B) is broader in scope, including staff employees as well as production workers.
C) includes reinforcement perspectives.
D) recognises that no one ever reaches self-actualisation levels.

Question 12

Which of the following best describes how David McClelland's acquired-needs theory differs from all other needs theories of motivation?

A) McClelland suggested that there are three groups of needs.
B) He suggested that needs don't manifest themselves in some form of behaviour.
C) He suggested that rewards and/or reinforcements are unimportant.
D) He suggested that a needs profile can be developed.

Question 13

A manager believing in acquired-needs theory of motivation would ensure that employees have an opportunity to:

A) accomplish challenging tasks.
B) have a friendly work environment.
C) influence others and have some personal power in their work place.
D) all of the given answers.

Question 14

Two theories which are prominent in trying to explain the cognitive activities in motivation theory are:

A) hierarchy of needs and acquired-needs theories.
B) goal-setting and equity theories.
C) expectancy and reinforcement theories.
D) two-factor and social learning theories.

Question 15

When an individual considers three main issues before making the effort to perform at a given level, it is a characteristic of the ____________ theory.

A) goal-setting
B) reinforcement
C) equity
D) D: expectancy

Question 16

What are the three components of the expectancy theory?

A) effort, motivation, performance.
B) performance, outcomes and rewards.
C) effort, performance and outcome.
D) time, performance and praise.

Question 17

An assessment of the probability that successful performance will lead to certain outcomes is referred to as:

A) valence.
B) performance outcome expectancy.
C) law of effect.
D) none of the given answers.

Question 18

Valence refers to:

A) an assessment of the intrinsic rewards associated with our performance.
B) our assessment about anticipated value of various outcomes or rewards.
C) an assessment of the probability of a successful outcome.
D) an assessment of the potential negative and positive results of an action.

Question 19

The expectancy theory's general formula is (EàP) x (PàO) x _______= _________.

A) motivation / valence
B) valence / motivation
C) motivation / rewards
D) valence / rewards

Question 20

Studies have verified that Vroom's expectancy theory can be a valuable tool for managers in:

A) comparing the likely motivation of various individuals in the same situation
B) comparing the likely motivation of various groups
C) predicting where a given individual might decide to expend effort
D) deciding the rewards to offer for various levels of performance.

Question 21

The expectancy theory has a number of implications for managers. Which statement below is NOT correct?

A) Managers must build high P à O expectancy formation by connecting high rewards to high performance.
B) Managers must foster high subordinate E à P expectancy.
C) Managers must foster combined training, high expectancy and motivation to improve the chances of success.
D) Managers must build lower P à O expectancy to ensure reduced E à P expectancy.

Question 22

Stacy Adams argues in his theory that employees judge a situation of balance / equity when two people put in the _____ ratio of input and the outcome of _____ is seen as equally appropriate

A) a different / one
B) same / both
C) same / one
D) none of the given answers

Question 23

Some of the findings made by Stacy Adams in his research on equity theory suggest that if an employee feels rewards are inequitable, the FIRST action usually taken by that person is to:

A) maximise the rewards possible without major increases in inputs.
B) quit the organisation.
C) rationalise that better rewarded individuals are probably giving more input than he or she is.
D) change the group being used for comparisons.

Question 24

Some of the findings made by Stacy Adams in his research on equity theory suggest that if an employee feels rewards are inequitable, the LEAST LIKELY action usually taken by that person is to:

A) maximise the rewards possible without major increases in inputs.
B) quit the organisation.
C) rationalise that better rewarded individuals are probably giving more input than he or she is.
D) change the group being used for comparisons.

Question 25

The success of the goal-setting theory of motivation depends on setting the right goals that have certain qualities and characteristics. Which of the following is NOT one of those?

A) Goals should be specific.
B) Time limits should be specific for goal achievement.
C) The result of setting goals should be challenging, yet attainable, goals.
D) Focus, however determined, should be set by management

Question 26

Which of the following best describes the reinforcement theory of motivation?

A) Our cognitive processes relate needs to behaviours.
B) Commitment to goals is the key element to predicting behaviour.
C) Those rewarded equally usually respond with fairly equal performance.
D) Behaviour is best explained by consequences in the environment.

Question 27

Which of the following statements about positive reinforcement is TRUE?

A) Rewards are made for all levels of performance.
B) A positive reinforcement reward can be an intangible reward.
C) All positive behaviours are rewarded positively.
D) Reprimanding failure is one form of positive reinforcement.

Question 28

Negative reinforcement is best described by which of the following statements?

A) Rewards are made to all organisation members regardless of performance levels.
B) The consequences of 'incorrect' behaviour are so undesirable that 'correct' behaviour is pursued.
C) Relatively small rewards are given for 'incorrect' behaviour.
D) 'Incorrect' behaviour results in subtractions from previously gained rewards.

Question 29

According to reinforcement theory, it would be correct to say that extinction is the _____________ of ______________ consequences for unwanted behaviour.

A) giving / positive
B) withholding / positive
C) giving / negative
D) withholding / negative.

Question 30

According to reinforcement theory, it would be correct to say that punishment is ____________ of _____________ consequences for unwanted behaviour.

A) giving / positive
B) withholding / positive
C) giving / negative
D) withholding / positive.

Question 31

Patterns or schedules of reinforcement developed by reinforcement theorists found that different patterns of rewarding behaviour affect both the _______________ and the degree to which that behaviour persists.

A) time required to learn the new behaviour
B) effort required to perform the new behaviour
C) perceptions of fairness of the rewards for the new behaviour
D) commitment required to succeed in the new behaviour.

Question 32

In the most basic classification system, there are only two groups of reinforcement schedules. In reinforcement theory, they are most correctly called:

A) sooner or later.
B) continuous or partial.
C) now or then.
D) all or nothing.

Question 33

The degree to which work, to achieve organisational goals, is divided into various jobs is called

A) job design
B) work specialisation
C) chain of command
D) logical grouping of task activities.

Question 34

The degree of specialisation will dictate how repetitive a job might be. The _________________ will determine what particular tasks will be repeated.

A) scalar chain
B) organisation chart
C) job design
D) job enrichment.

Question 35

Which approach to the job design is most likely to aid innovation through exchange of ideas?

A) job simplification.
B) job enrichment.
C) job rotation.
D) job enlargement.

Question 36

The Hackman and Oldham job characteristics model to help guide job enrichment efforts is a fairly successful attempt at increasing job productivity by primarily increasing:

A) organisational communications.
B) worker motivation.
C) job scope and job width.
D) organisational unity of command.

Question 37

The Hackman and Oldham job characteristics model identifies five core job characteristics. Which of the following is NOT one of them?

A) autonomy
B) job satisfaction
C) task identity
D) feedback.

Question 38

The Hackman and Oldham job characteristics model identifies a number of core job characteristics. One of them is:

A) task significance.
B) knowledge and skill.
C) the responsibility for outcomes of the work that is experienced.
D) high internal work motivation.

Question 39

Which of the core job characteristics described in the Hackman and Oldham job characteristics model measures the degree to which a worker contributes to the completion of the total job?

A) task identity
B) task significance
C) autonomy
D) job depth

Question 40

Social learning theory, an approach to motivation theory that builds on reinforcement theory, maintains that learning 'appropriate' behaviour occurs through the continuous reciprocal interaction of our behaviours, various personal factors and:

A) cognitions.
B) symbolic models.
C) vicarious processes.
D) environmental forces.

Question 41

Abraham Herzberg developed his theory of needs in 1954, a five level explanation on what types of needs an individual seeks to fulfil.

Question 42

Alderfer's alternative approach to Maslow's identifies three levels of human needs to be satisfied: firstly the need to exist, the need to have close relationships with significant others, and thirdly the need to be able to develop personally and to have a productive influence on our environment.

Question 43

Self-efficacy is one component in the symbolic processes which can be explained as a way an employee believes s/he can perform a task.

Question 44

A job design specifies all task activities included and therefore can motivate a prospective employee to apply for the job to be challenged.

Question 45

Equitable awards are associated with Skinner's reinforcement theory to motivate employees.

Question 46

The Social Learning theory is one of the three cognitive work motivation theories.

Question 47

How would you define the term motivation and describe the motivation process?

Question 48

In what ways can the major need theories of motivation be compared and contrasted?

Question 49

What are the stages of expectancy theory and what are the implications for managers?

Question 50

How does equity theory apply to employees? Give a practical example.

Question 51

In the Hackman and Oldham model of job enrichment, how does each core job characteristic lead to motivated behaviour and raised outcomes?

Question 52

What are the three cognitively related processes used to explain behaviour; in what way is the modelling process relevant?

Question 53

What are the managerial implications of social learning theory?