Deck 13: Motivation at Work

Question 1

Which of the levels in Maslow's hierarchy of needs states that having a positive view of one's self is a motivational factor?

A) Physiological
B) Security
C) Self-actualization
D) Esteem
E) Belongingness

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Which of the following reinforcement schedules targets behavior on the basis of the passage of time?

A) Interval
B) Ratio
C) Rational
D) Bounded rational
E) Instrumentality

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Some managed health-care plans keep costs low by paying incentive compensation to doctors to limit the number of high-cost treatments they provide to patients. What is the incentive compensation called based on behavioral modification?

A) Self-actualization
B) Extinction
C) Dissonance
D) Positive reinforcement
E) Punishment

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Every time Theodore decides to take an extra-long, three-hour lunch, his boss makes him stay late to make up the missed work. Eventually, Theodore quits taking long lunches. Theodore's boss is using ____ theory to help Theodore change his behavior.

A) expectancy
B) agency
C) compensation
D) reward
E) reinforcement

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a determinant of performance in an organization?

A) Employees' ability to perform
B) Environment in which performance takes place
C) Support factors such as machinery and materials
D) Demand for the organization's products or services
E) Employees' motivation to perform

Question 6

How many levels appear in Alderfer's ERG theory?

A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4
E) 5

Question 7

In Herzberg's two-factor theory of motivation, what element can be used to satisfy individual needs?

A) Merit
B) Motivators
C) Hygiene factors
D) All of these
E) Both motivators and hygiene factors

Question 8

What is the basis of reinforcement theory?

A) Fundamental differences exist between managers' and employees' needs.
B) Behavior is a function of its consequences.
C) Ability to perform translates into positive performance.
D) Rewards are based on motivation.
E) Employees will shirk if they are not monitored.

Question 9

According to expectancy theory, when will employees experience greater motivation to perform?

A) When they feel that increased performance will lead to desired rewards
B) When they feel that motivation is related to increased rewards
C) When they feel they are not properly trained
D) When they feel a job is too difficult
E) When goals are set too low

Question 10

Which of the following reinforcement schedules targets behavior on the basis of a constant number of times that conduct must occur?

A) Fixed interval
B) Variable interval
C) Fixed ratio
D) Variable ratio
E) Continuous ratio

Question 11

Benjamin sees no reason to put forth extra effort to help his employer reach monthly production targets. After all, Benjamin has put forth effort in the past and did not get any reward. Benjamin's behavior can be explained by

A) expectancy theory.
B) reinforcement theory.
C) agency theory.
D) expectancy theory and reinforcement theory.
E) expectancy theory, reinforcement theory, and agency theory.

Question 12

When a manager applies a negative consequence to reduce an employee's undesirable behavior, what is this process called?

A) Self-actualization
B) Extinction
C) Dissonance
D) Positive reinforcement
E) Punishment

Question 13

Which of the following reinforcement schedules targets behavior on the basis of how many times the conduct occurs?

A) Interval
B) Ratio
C) Rational
D) Bounded rational
E) Instrumentality

Question 14

According to agency theory, which of the following is NOT a fundamental difference between owners and managers?

A) Owners are more focused on minimizing costs than are managers.
B) Owners are more inclined to accept risk than are managers.
C) Owners focus more on short-run profitability than do managers.
D) Managers are more inclined than owners to spend resources on activities that are not essential to organizational profitability.
E) Managers serve as agents who represent owners' interests.

Question 15

Which of the levels in Maslow's hierarchy of needs states that realizing one's full potential is a motivational factor?

A) Physiological
B) Security
C) Self-actualization
D) Esteem
E) Belongingness

Question 16

Which of the following reinforcement schedules targets behavior on the basis of a varying amount of time that must transpire?

A) Fixed interval
B) Variable interval
C) Fixed ratio
D) Variable ratio
E) Continuous ratio

Question 17

Under her employer's incentive pay system, Vicky's team sells the most real estate and wins a trip to Hawaii. Based on reinforcement theory, what is the trip?

A) Stimulus
B) Response
C) Outcome
D) Dissonance
E) Self-actualization

Question 18

Which of the levels in Maslow's hierarchy of needs states that food, water, and shelter are motivational factors?

A) Physiological
B) Security
C) Self-actualization
D) Esteem
E) Belongingness

Question 19

Which of the following reinforcement schedules targets behavior on the basis of a constant amount of time that must transpire?

A) Fixed interval
B) Variable interval
C) Fixed ratio
D) Variable ratio
E) Continuous ratio

Question 20

Which of the levels in Maslow's hierarchy of needs states that a safe environment is a motivational factor?

A) Physiological
B) Security
C) Self-actualization
D) Esteem
E) Belongingness

Question 21

Self-actualization needs are the highest level in Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.

Question 22

Which component of expectancy theory covers the relative value of rewards and other consequences?

A) Dissonance
B) Valence
C) Expectancy
D) Instrumentality
E) VIE

Question 23

Equity theory discusses individuals' perceptions about the relationship between ____ and ____.

A) instrumentality, valence
B) financial incentives, nonfinancial rewards
C) equity, reinforcement
D) rewards, punishments
E) inputs, outcomes

Question 24

The ERG theory of motivation was proposed by Maslow.

Question 25

Physiological needs are the lowest level in Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.

Question 26

The concept that people who have goals work harder than those persons who do not have goals is covered in

A) the goal measurement approach.
B) the goal relation principle.
C) equity theory.
D) reinforcement theory.
E) goal theory.

Question 27

When an employee's input-outcome ratio is more favorable than that of a comparison other, ____ has occurred.

A) instrumentality
B) valence
C) equity
D) underpayment inequity
E) overpayment inequity

Question 28

Goal setting theory was first proposed by:

A) Tate
B) Herzberg
C) Maslow
D) Locke
E) Vroom

Question 29

Scenario 13.1
John Davis, a human resource manager for a medium-size chain of hotels, is trying to motivate the company's employees with an updated compensation plan. There are two groups of operating employees. Line employees are responsible for dealing directly with customers, and their performance objectives are related to providing high-quality customer service. To do this, line personnel must undergo regular training to update their customer service skills. Operating managers are responsible for monitoring the activities of the line personnel and providing instructional/developmental support when needed. Currently, the line personnel are paid on an hourly basis, while the operating managers are paid salaries. If employees earn adequate performance appraisals, they can receive generous bonuses and pay raises. However, when performance evaluations are unacceptable, employees do not receive any rewards. John believes that his new plan to give employees shares of profit and stock on the basis of the results of performance evaluations will further motivate employees and managers.
Refer to Scenario 13.1. Agency theory predicts that profit and stock awards will increase the efforts of employees directed toward increasing firm profitability, because the

A) stock options align the interests of all employees and stakeholders.
B) stock options increase compensation, especially when the firm's stock price is low.
C) stock options make the employees into owners, who will work harder in their self-interest.
D) employees know that stock options can be very valuable and they work harder when they know the firm values their efforts.
E) employees perceive greater equity with employees who receive stock options at other firms.

Question 30

When an employee's input-outcome ratio is less favorable than that of a comparison other, ____ has occurred.

A) instrumentality
B) valence
C) equity
D) underpayment inequity
E) overpayment inequity

Question 31

Which of the following reinforcement schedules targets behavior on the basis of a varying number of times that conduct must occur?

A) Fixed interval
B) Variable interval
C) Fixed ratio
D) Variable ratio
E) Continuous ratio

Question 32

The ERG theory contains 2 levels, which are known as belongingness and relatedness.

Question 33

Scenario 13.1
John Davis, a human resource manager for a medium-size chain of hotels, is trying to motivate the company's employees with an updated compensation plan. There are two groups of operating employees. Line employees are responsible for dealing directly with customers, and their performance objectives are related to providing high-quality customer service. To do this, line personnel must undergo regular training to update their customer service skills. Operating managers are responsible for monitoring the activities of the line personnel and providing instructional/developmental support when needed. Currently, the line personnel are paid on an hourly basis, while the operating managers are paid salaries. If employees earn adequate performance appraisals, they can receive generous bonuses and pay raises. However, when performance evaluations are unacceptable, employees do not receive any rewards. John believes that his new plan to give employees shares of profit and stock on the basis of the results of performance evaluations will further motivate employees and managers.
Refer to Scenario 13.1. The different pay structures used for line and managerial employees could create a perception of injustice on the basis of ____ theory.

A) goal
B) expectancy
C) equity
D) need
E) merit

Question 34

Scenario 13.1
John Davis, a human resource manager for a medium-size chain of hotels, is trying to motivate the company's employees with an updated compensation plan. There are two groups of operating employees. Line employees are responsible for dealing directly with customers, and their performance objectives are related to providing high-quality customer service. To do this, line personnel must undergo regular training to update their customer service skills. Operating managers are responsible for monitoring the activities of the line personnel and providing instructional/developmental support when needed. Currently, the line personnel are paid on an hourly basis, while the operating managers are paid salaries. If employees earn adequate performance appraisals, they can receive generous bonuses and pay raises. However, when performance evaluations are unacceptable, employees do not receive any rewards. John believes that his new plan to give employees shares of profit and stock on the basis of the results of performance evaluations will further motivate employees and managers.
Refer to Scenario 13.1. ____ occurs when performance evaluation results are not acceptable.

A) Self-actualization
B) Extinction
C) Dissonance
D) Positive reinforcement
E) Punishment

Question 35

Don believed that if he satisfied his customers based on the methods covered in his company's sales training seminar, his tips would increase. Don's employer was successful at building what component of motivation?

A) Dissonance
B) Valence
C) Expectancy
D) Instrumentality
E) VIE

Question 36

Which component of expectancy theory covers the performance-to-outcomes expectancy?

A) Dissonance
B) Valence
C) Expectancy
D) Instrumentality
E) VIE

Question 37

Scenario 13.1
John Davis, a human resource manager for a medium-size chain of hotels, is trying to motivate the company's employees with an updated compensation plan. There are two groups of operating employees. Line employees are responsible for dealing directly with customers, and their performance objectives are related to providing high-quality customer service. To do this, line personnel must undergo regular training to update their customer service skills. Operating managers are responsible for monitoring the activities of the line personnel and providing instructional/developmental support when needed. Currently, the line personnel are paid on an hourly basis, while the operating managers are paid salaries. If employees earn adequate performance appraisals, they can receive generous bonuses and pay raises. However, when performance evaluations are unacceptable, employees do not receive any rewards. John believes that his new plan to give employees shares of profit and stock on the basis of the results of performance evaluations will further motivate employees and managers.
Refer to Scenario 13.1. John knows that the last time the compensation plan was updated, an incentive plan was proposed. However, the incentive pay for all of the chain's employees was much greater than anticipated and so the incentives were never paid. On the basis of ____ theory, when individuals did not receive the promised incentive pay, their motivation was reduced.

A) agency
B) expectancy
C) equity
D) performance
E) outcome-based

Question 38

In reinforcement theory, the stimulus is an environmental factor that cues the person about behavior.

Question 39

Scenario 13.1
John Davis, a human resource manager for a medium-size chain of hotels, is trying to motivate the company's employees with an updated compensation plan. There are two groups of operating employees. Line employees are responsible for dealing directly with customers, and their performance objectives are related to providing high-quality customer service. To do this, line personnel must undergo regular training to update their customer service skills. Operating managers are responsible for monitoring the activities of the line personnel and providing instructional/developmental support when needed. Currently, the line personnel are paid on an hourly basis, while the operating managers are paid salaries. If employees earn adequate performance appraisals, they can receive generous bonuses and pay raises. However, when performance evaluations are unacceptable, employees do not receive any rewards. John believes that his new plan to give employees shares of profit and stock on the basis of the results of performance evaluations will further motivate employees and managers.
Refer to Scenario 13.1. The profit and stock awards are considered to be

A) self-actualization.
B) extinction.
C) dissonance.
D) positive reinforcement.
E) punishment.

Question 40

Sally, a supermarket courtesy clerk, values the extra money she receives from her employer based on the customer service awards and bonuses she has received over the last year. This is an example of:

A) Dissonance
B) Valence
C) Expectancy
D) Instrumentality
E) VIE

Question 41

Goal theory has been used as a basis for performance appraisal systems and performance management approaches.

Question 42

In reinforcement theory, the response is the behavior that the person exhibits when she or he encounters the stimulus.

Question 43

What are the basic principles discussed in equity theory?

Question 44

Discuss the basic reinforcement schedules.

Question 45

Extrinsic motivation occurs when the work is interesting, engaging, and challenging.

Question 46

Creative behavior involves doing things at work that are innovative and generate value for the company.

Question 47

What are the basic concepts discussed in goal theory?

Question 48

How can creativity be used to motivate staff?

Question 49

What are the three basic components of expectancy theory?

Question 50

Research shows that general goals are much more effective at increasing employee performance than are specific goals.