Deck 7: Motivation Concepts

Question 1

In an example, a local church is made up of people who are very different in their lifestyles and their stages of life. Mary is a 23-year-old single parent who earns the minimum wage. Jonathan is 60 years old, extremely wealthy, and works because he enjoys it. Jane is a 45-year-old lawyer who earns well and is well-respected in her profession. She is extremely career-oriented and is proud of her achievements. Which of the following do you think would motivate Jonathan the most?

A) more vacation time
B) more responsibility
C) greater career growth
D) more money
E) a greater sense of inner peace

Answer 1

E

Question 2

________ is defined as the processes that account for an individual's intensity, direction, and persistence of effort toward attaining a goal.

A) Leadership
B) Management
C) Selective perception
D) Emotional labor
E) Motivation

Answer 2

E

Question 3

In an example, a local church is made up of people who are very different in their lifestyles and their stages of life. Mary is a 23-year-old single parent who earns the minimum wage. Jonathan is 60 years old, extremely wealthy, and works because he enjoys it. Jane is a 45-year-old lawyer who earns well and is well-respected in her profession. She is extremely career-oriented and is proud of her achievements. According to Maslow's hierarchy, Mary is likely to focus on satisfying ________ needs.

A) social
B) esteem
C) physiological
D) self-actualization
E) growth

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Motivation can be defined by three key elements. ________ is one of these three key elements and it is the element most of us focus on when we talk about motivation.

A) Intelligence
B) Experience
C) Expertise
D) Intensity
E) Knowledge

Question 5

Which of the following statements is true according to the two-factor theory?

A) The hygiene factors tend to be intrinsic factors.
B) Factors that lead to job satisfaction are extrinsic factors.
C) Adequate hygiene factors ensure that people are not dissatisfied.
D) Recognition is a hygiene factor.
E) Hygiene factors lead to job satisfaction.

Question 6

In an example, a local church is made up of people who are very different in their lifestyles and their stages of life. Mary is a 23-year-old single parent who earns the minimum wage. Jonathan is 60 years old, extremely wealthy, and works because he enjoys it. Jane is a 45-year-old lawyer who earns well and is well-respected in her profession. She is extremely career-oriented and is proud of her achievements. Jane is likely to focus on which of the following levels of needs?

A) esteem
B) growth
C) physiological
D) self-actualization
E) safety

Question 7

Some researchers have attempted to revive components of the need hierarchy concept, using principles from evolutionary psychology. Which of the following statements is true in this regard?

A) Researchers propose that higher-level needs are the chief concern of immature animals or those with primitive nervous systems.
B) Researchers observe: lower needs are more frequently observed in mature animals with more developed nervous systems.
C) Researchers have noted distinct underlying biological systems for different types of needs.
D) Researchers observe that in time, these revisions to Maslow's hierarchy will definitely be useful to practicing managers.
E) Researchers have noted the presence of intricate social systems for different types of needs.

Question 8

You manage a department of five employees. You have identified that Joe has high need for achievement, Mary has high need for power, and Tim has high need for affiliation. Sarah scored high on the need for power and low on the need for affiliation. Doug scores low on both need for power and need for affiliation. Which of these five employees is most likely to be suitable for a new assignment that involves a high degree of personal responsibility and feedback?

A) Joe
B) Mary
C) Tim
D) Sarah
E) Doug

Question 9

If we consider Maslow's hierarchy of needs in the context of Japan, Greece, and Mexico, where uncertainty-avoidance characteristics are strong, then ________ needs would be on top of the hierarchy.

A) self-actualization
B) security
C) social
D) esteem
E) growth

Question 10

Which of the following statements is true regarding Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory?

A) "Social" needs relate to autonomy and achievement.
B) A substantially satisfied need no longer motivates.
C) "Esteem" needs relate to affection and friendship.
D) Social needs are lower-order needs.
E) Lower-order needs are satisfied internally.

Question 11

According to Douglas McGregor's Theory Y, a manager assumes that employees ________.

A) dislike work
B) need to be controlled
C) avoid responsibility
D) exercise self-direction
E) attempt to avoid work

Question 12

Your fellow employees have a terrible work situation. They work in an old, run-down building with an antiquated heating system. The work itself is tedious and the supervisor is rarely available and only shows up to give reprimands for production shortfalls. Nobody has received a promotion in two years. The work is boring, repetitious, and unrewarding. You are trying to improve this situation with the help of Herzberg's two-factor theory. You decide that your first job should be to improve the hygiene factors. Which of the following would you consider a hygiene factor?

A) working conditions
B) training related to new skills
C) recognition
D) employee empowerment
E) promotion

Question 13

Describe the three key elements in the definition of motivation.

Question 14

Mariah is the manager in a restaurant. According to Douglas McGregor's Theory X, which of the following is a behavior she would most likely exhibit?

A) She would empower her subordinates.
B) She would trust her employees to use discretion in most matters.
C) She would strictly control all the details of any project she is managing.
D) She would delegate authority extensively to junior managers.
E) She would let her employees choose their own goals.

Question 15

According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which of the following is a lower-order need?

A) social
B) safety
C) esteem
D) self-actualization
E) recognition

Question 16

The culture of which country tends to have lower levels of internal motivation?

A) United States
B) Canada
C) Great Britain
D) Portugal
E) Australia

Question 17

Some of your friends like to cram all night before exams; however, you are not able to keep your focus on the material for that length of time. Your study habits can be attributed to which element of motivation?

A) intensity
B) direction
C) persistence
D) both A and C
E) both B and C

Question 18

Motivation is one of the most frequently researched topics in OB. According to a study, by workers' own reports, they waste roughly 2 hours per day, not counting lunch and scheduled breaks and the biggest time-wasters are Internet surfing and ________.

A) updating their skills
B) conversing with managers
C) talking with co-workers
D) simulating work environment
E) reading instructional books

Question 19

The ________ theory is also called motivation-hygiene theory.

A) hierarchy of needs
B) goal-setting
C) self-determination
D) cognitive evaluation
E) two-factor

Question 20

Motivation is defined as the processes that account for an individual's intensity, direction, and persistence of effort toward attaining a goal.

Question 21

Compare and contrast a manager that implements Theory Y and one that adheres to the expectancy theory. How would each choose to motivate their employees?

Question 22

Which of the following statements is true according to McClelland's theory of needs?

A) People with a high achievement need prefer doing tasks that involve a very high level of risk.
B) People with a high achievement need prefer jobs that have a low degree of personal responsibility.
C) Best managers tend to have a high need for affiliation.
D) People with a high achievement need tend to be successful managers, especially in large organizations.
E) Best managers tend to have a high need for power.

Question 23

As per Maslow's Hierarchy of needs, social and self-actualization needs would be first priority in countries where uncertainty-avoidance characteristics are strong.

Question 24

According to the two-factor theory proposed by Herzberg, which of the following factors is considered a hygiene factor?

A) promotional opportunity
B) quality of supervision
C) achievement
D) recognition
E) responsibility

Question 25

Describe Maslow's hierarchy of needs including the types of needs and how they become dominant.

Question 26

According to McClelland's theory of needs, when jobs have a high degree of personal responsibility and feedback and an intermediate degree of risk, high achievers are strongly motivated.

Question 27

Jasmine wants to become head of her department. Although she will be greatly compensated if she achieves this aim and will gain control over many subordinates, the main reason she is pursuing this position is that she thinks she can do the job better than anyone else and wants people to know this. According to the McClelland's theory of needs, which of the following needs primarily drives Jasmine in this case?

A) the need for stability
B) the need for achievement
C) the need for growth
D) the need for affiliation
E) the need for power

Question 28

Under Theory Y, managers believe employees inherently dislike work and must therefore be directed or even coerced into performing it.

Question 29

Differentiate motivators from hygiene factors.

Question 30

The two-factor theory proposes that ________.

A) within every human being, there exists a hierarchy of five needs and as each of these needs becomes substantially satisfied, the next one becomes dominant
B) employees inherently dislike work and must therefore be directed or even coerced into performing it
C) employees can view work as being as natural as rest or play, and therefore the average person can learn to accept, and even seek, responsibility
D) the factors that lead to job satisfaction are separate and distinct from those that lead to job dissatisfaction
E) achievement, power, and affiliation are three important needs that help explain motivation

Question 31

You manage a department of five employees. You have identified that Joe has high need for achievement, Mary has high need for power, and Tim has high need for affiliation. Sarah scored high on the need for power and low on the need for affiliation. Doug scores low on both need for power and need for affiliation. Which of these five employees is most suitable for taking on your responsibilities when you are on a vacation?

A) Joe
B) Mary
C) Tim
D) Sarah
E) Doug

Question 32

McClelland's theory of needs concentrates on which three needs?

A) achievement, growth, and security
B) achievement, power, and affiliation
C) self-actualization, stability, and affiliation
D) affiliation, control, and security
E) control, status, and affiliation

Question 33

According to Maslow, a need that is essentially satisfied no longer motivates.

Question 34

According to the two-factor theory, which of the following factors is most likely to create job satisfaction?

A) improving working conditions
B) assuring job security
C) appreciating a job well done
D) improving the quality of supervision
E) changing company policies

Question 35

According to the two-factor theory, which of the following statements would likely be true?

A) When the working conditions are comfortable, employees will be satisfied.
B) Quality of supervision is a motivation factor.
C) Fixing the conditions that make the employees dissatisfied will not make them satisfied.
D) Employees are dissatisfied due to lack of recognition.
E) The major reason for dissatisfaction is probably the lack of promotion.

Question 36

According to McClelland's theory of needs, what type of job is preferred by those employees who have high need for achievement?

Question 37

According to the two-factor theory, ________ is a motivating factor.

A) better company policy
B) quality of supervision
C) responsibility
D) job security
E) pay

Question 38

According to the Two-Factor Theory, how might a manager motivate employees?

Question 39

You manage a department of five employees. You have identified that Joe has high need for achievement, Mary has high need for power, and Tim has high need for affiliation. Sarah scored high on the need for power and low on the need for affiliation. Doug scores low on both need for power and need for affiliation. Which of these five employees would be best suited as a mentor to new employees with a chance to develop friendships?

A) Joe
B) Mary
C) Tim
D) Sarah
E) Doug

Question 40

Which of the following theories indicates the existence of a dual continuum?

A) hierarchy of needs theory
B) self-determination theory
C) two-factor theory
D) cognitive evaluation theory
E) theory of needs

Question 41

Specific goals produce a higher level of output than does the generalized goal of "do your best."

Question 42

The concept of self-concordance proposes that ________.

A) the factors that lead to job satisfaction are separate and distinct from those that lead to job dissatisfaction
B) employees inherently dislike work and must therefore be directed or even coerced into performing it
C) individuals who pursue goals because of an intrinsic interest are more likely to attain their goals
D) people with high achievement need tend to be the best general managers
E) extrinsic rewards will reduce intrinsic interest in a task

Question 43

Which of the following theories proposes that people prefer to feel they have control over their actions, so anything that makes a previously enjoyed task feel more like an obligation than a freely chosen activity will undermine motivation?

A) theory of needs
B) motivation-hygiene theory
C) two-factor theory
D) self-determination theory
E) goal setting theory

Question 44

Self-generated feedback is a more powerful motivator than externally generated feedback.

Question 45

________ indicates how strongly peoples' reasons for pursuing goals are consistent with their interests and core values.

A) Selective perception
B) Positivity offset
C) Cognitive dissonance
D) Emotional contagion
E) Self-concordance

Question 46

Discuss distributive justice, procedural justice and interactional justice.

Question 47

The degree to which an employee believes it is meaningful to engage in work is partially determined by access to sufficient resources to work effectively.

Question 48

With reference to the expectancy theory, which of the following examples indicates a weak rewards-personal goals relationship?

A) The employee lacks the skill required for the desired performance level.
B) The organization's appraisal system assesses nonperformance factors such as creativity and initiative.
C) The organizational rewards are based on seniority.
D) The employee expects a poor appraisal as he believes that his manager does not like him.
E) The employee wants to be relocated to the Paris office but instead is transferred to Singapore.

Question 49

If a manager incorrectly assumes that all employees want the same thing, then according to the expectancy theory, it is most likely to result in a weak ________ relationship.

A) performance-achievement
B) effort-performance
C) performance-reward
D) rewards-personal goals
E) effort-satisfaction

Question 50

With reference to the expectancy theory, when pay is based on factors other than performance such as seniority, the ________ relationship tends to be weak.

A) effort-satisfaction
B) performance-reward
C) effort-performance
D) personal goal-self actualization
E) performance-achievement

Question 51

Which of the following statements is true regarding goals?

A) Goal commitment is most likely to occur when the individual has an external locus of control.
B) Generalized goals produce a higher level of output as compared to specific goals.
C) People do better when they get feedback on how well they are progressing toward their goals.
D) If factors such as acceptance of the goals are held constant, the more simple the goal, the higher the level of performance.
E) Assigned goals appear to generate greater goal commitment in lower rather than higher power-distance cultures.

Question 52

Jill is an excellent technical writer. She has never missed a deadline and all her projects are of superior quality. She now wants to telecommute two days a week, so that she can spend more time with her family. She feels that she has proven her reliability. However, her boss is unable to comply with her request and gives her a substantial raise instead. Jill's disappointment demonstrates a breakdown in the ________ relationship.

A) performance-reward
B) effort-performance
C) rewards-personal goals
D) effort-satisfaction
E) performance-achievement

Question 53

Critics have noted that a "dark side" to job engagement might be that an individual becomes overly competitive.

Question 54

People who pursue goals for extrinsic reasons are more likely to attain their goals and are happy even if they do not.

Question 55

Loni has worked at local dry cleaners for the past two years as a cashier. When the store was not busy with customers, Loni enjoyed helping Donatella, the seamstress, with various tasks such as sewing on buttons and fixing minor holes and such. Recently, Loni's job description was changed to include working with Donatella in the Alterations area 10 hours a week. Since then, Loni's enjoyment of working with Donatella has decreased. This decline can be explained by ________.

A) self-determination theory
B) goal setting theory
C) Theory X and Theory Y
D) hierarchy of needs
E) expectancy theory

Question 56

According to the theory of job engagement, which of the following activities will aid a manager in facilitating engagement for their employees?

A) giving the employees a raise
B) offering the employees a vacation
C) providing comfortable desks
D) including the employees in weekly planning meetings
E) none of these work under the theory of job enrichment

Question 57

Self-efficacy refers to an individual's belief that he or she is capable of performing a task.

Question 58

Which of the following statements is true regarding the cognitive evaluation theory?

A) This theory proposes that employees inherently dislike work and must therefore be directed or even coerced into performing it.
B) This theory hypothesizes that extrinsic rewards will reduce intrinsic interest in a task.
C) This theory is also called motivation-hygiene theory.
D) This theory is based on three needs: need for achievement, need for power, and need for affiliation.
E) This theory states that the factors that lead to job satisfaction are separate and distinct from those that lead to job dissatisfaction.

Question 59

Goals seem to have a more substantial effect on performance when the ________.

A) goals are generalized (like "Do your best") rather than specific
B) tasks are complex rather than simple
C) tasks are novel rather than well learned
D) goals are easy rather than difficult
E) tasks are independent rather than interdependent

Question 60

According to the expectancy theory, which of the following relationships indicates the degree to which the individual believes that a particular level of output will lead to the attainment of a desired outcome?

A) performance-reward
B) effort-performance
C) rewards-personal goals
D) effort-satisfaction
E) performance-achievement

Question 61

You graduated from college two years ago and began working at Hampstead Electronics. You have received good performance evaluations and a raise. You just found out that your organization has hired a recent college graduate with no experience at a higher salary than you are now making. You consider this an unfair act and resolve to do something about it. Which of the following theories best describes such a situation?

A) equity theory
B) two-factor theory
C) goal-setting theory
D) theory of needs
E) self-determination theory

Question 62

Which of the following is true regarding job engagement?

A) Organizations that have less engaged employees are more successful.
B) Groups with more engaged employees have lower levels of productivity.
C) Academic studies have found negative outcomes of job engagement.
D) Critics note that higher levels of engagement may result in work-family conflict.
E) Practicing managers believe that job engagement cannot improve performance.

Question 63

The main difference between the ideas of self-efficacy and self-esteem is ________.

A) self-efficacy cannot be improved
B) self-esteem is often baseless
C) self-efficacy refers specifically to tasks
D) both A and B
E) both A and C

Question 64

With reference to the four ways of increasing self-efficacy as proposed by Albert Bandura, verbal persuasion involves becoming more confident ________.

A) because you gain relevant experience with the task or job
B) because you see someone else doing the task
C) because someone convinces you that you have the skills necessary to be successful
D) because you get rewarded for performing a similar task well
E) because you get energized or "psyched up" for performing the task

Question 65

________ refers to an individual's belief that he or she is capable of performing a task.

A) Emotional contagion
B) Affect intensity
C) Self-efficacy
D) Cognitive dissonance
E) Need for power

Question 66

________ involves translating the organization's overall objectives into specific objectives for each succeeding level in the organization.

A) Strategic planning
B) Management by objectives
C) Representative participation
D) Management buy-out
E) Management by exception

Question 67

Which of the following is not an ingredient common to all MBO programs?

A) an explicit time period
B) participative decision making
C) interdependence of tasks
D) performance feedback
E) specification of the goal

Question 68

In equity theory, individuals assess the ________.

A) cost-benefit ratio
B) efficiency-effectiveness trade-off
C) quantity-quality trade-off
D) outcome-input ratio
E) quality of outcome

Question 69

The researcher who developed self-efficacy theory, Albert Bandura, proposes four ways self-efficacy can be increased. Which of the following is one of these four ways that involves becoming more confident because you see someone else doing the task?

A) arousal
B) enactive mastery
C) focused training
D) vicarious modeling
E) verbal persuasion

Question 70

The Pygmalion effect is also called the ________ effect.

A) self-efficacy
B) self-concordance
C) galatea
D) self-determination
E) pseudocertainty

Question 71

Many elements in management by objectives (MBO) programs match propositions of ________ theory.

A) motivation-hygiene
B) cognitive evaluation
C) goal-setting
D) self determination
E) hierarchy of needs

Question 72

Which of the following statements is true regarding a management by objective (MBO) program?

A) Many elements in MBO programs match propositions of cognitive evaluation theory.
B) MBO strongly advocates that the goals should be assigned by the managers without the employees participating in the goal setting process.
C) MBO programs set generalized rather than specific goals.
D) MBO programs involve explicit time periods.
E) MBO programs strongly discourage providing performance feedback because it can have negative effects on employee motivation.

Question 73

The ________ theory is also known as the social cognitive theory or the social learning theory.

A) two-factor
B) self-determination
C) goal-setting
D) self-efficacy
E) hierarchy of needs

Question 74

You graduated from college two years ago and began working at Hampstead Electronics. You have received good performance evaluations and a raise. You just found out that your organization has hired a recent college graduate with no experience at a higher salary than you are now making. You consider this an unfair act and resolve to do something about it. In such a situation, you will most likely ________.

A) work harder
B) produce better work
C) acknowledge that the newly hired person is worth more
D) reduce the quality or quantity of work
E) continue the job to acquire benefits of seniority

Question 75

________ is a form of self-fulfilling prophecy in which believing something can make it true.

A) The confirmation bias
B) The Pygmalion effect
C) The anchoring bias
D) The framing effect
E) The distinction bias

Question 76

Which of the following ways of increasing self-efficacy is generally used by motivational speakers?

A) arousal
B) enactive mastery
C) focused training
D) vicarious modeling
E) verbal persuasion

Question 77

Which of the following is one of the four ways of increasing self-efficacy that involves gaining relevant experience with the task or job?

A) verbal persuasion
B) enactive mastery
C) vicarious modeling
D) arousal
E) focused training

Question 78

Goal-setting theory and self-efficacy theory do not ________.

A) address employee behavior
B) compete with one another
C) work toward improving motivation
D) both A and C
E) both B and C

Question 79

What sort of goals does Management by Objectives (MBO) emphasize?

A) tangible, verifiable, and measurable
B) achievable, controllable, and profitable
C) inspirational, verifiable, and creative
D) challenging, rewarding, and measurable
E) profitable, attainable, and verifiable

Question 80

Joanna watches her friend Sharon slim down. This increases her confidence that she can lose weight too. Which of the following ways of increasing self-efficacy is represented by this example?

A) enactive mastery
B) vicarious modeling
C) arousal
D) verbal persuasion
E) focused training