Question 1

Both Vroom's and Skinner's process theories both state that supervisors motivate most effectively when they

Accepted Answer

Both Vroom's and Skinner's process theories emphasize the importance of positive reinforcement and minimizing punishment as a means of motivation. Therefore, placing less emphasis on punishing infractions would be the most effective way for supervisors to motivate their employees according to these theories. The other options, such as only providing extrinsic rewards, eliminating the Pygmalion effect or using more punishment than reinforcement, are not consistent with the principles of these theories.

Question 2

Which of the following is an example of an extrinsic reward?

Accepted Answer

An "employee of the month" award with a certificate and gift vouchers is a tangible reward provided by the manager, making it an example of an extrinsic reward. Option A is an example of an intrinsic reward. Option B is an example of a supportive behavior that can improve job satisfaction but is not directly linked to rewards. Option C refers to a need satisfaction from the job, which is not a reward system.

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of reinforcement?

Accepted Answer

Reinforcement refers to providing a consequence that strengthens a behavior, making it more likely to occur again in the future. In this case, the truck driver receiving a bonus for making deliveries on time is an example of reinforcement as it is providing a positive consequence to strengthen the behavior of making timely deliveries. Option A and B are examples of punishment, which refers to providing a consequence that weakens a behavior. Option D is an example of compensation, not reinforcement.

Question 4

Which of the following is an intrinsic reward?

Accepted Answer

Intrinsic rewards are internal incentives that come from within an individual such as personal satisfaction or enjoyment. Therefore, the happiness one experiences while gardening is an example of an intrinsic reward. Options B, C, and D are extrinsic rewards, which are external incentives or rewards provided by others, such as recognition, bonuses, or trophies.

Question 5

According to the ________ Act, organizations with 50 or more employees within a 75-mile radius must give employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for a newborn, adopted, or foster child within one year of the child's arrival.

Accepted Answer

The law described in the question is the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which requires covered employers to provide eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in a 12-month period for qualifying reasons, including the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child. The other options listed in the question (Uniform Adoption, Pregnancy Discrimination, and Occupational Safety and Health) are not directly related to this particular law.

Question 6

According to Vroom's expectancy-valence theory, instrumentality is

Accepted Answer

Instrumentality, according to Vroom's expectancy-valence theory, is the perceived probability that successfully performing at a certain level will lead to the attainment of a desired outcome or reward.

Question 7

In order to successfully implement behavior modification programs in organizational settings, a supervisor should consider

Accepted Answer

Providing substantial rewards and punishments can help reinforce the desired behaviors and discourage undesired behaviors. However, it is important to ensure that the rewards and punishments are fair and consistent for all employees. Different employees may require different types of rewards or punishments based on their individual motivations and behaviors, and it is important to consider this when designing behavior modification programs. Additionally, providing feedback that includes both positive reinforcement for desired behaviors and constructive criticism for undesired behaviors can help employees understand what they need to improve upon and how they can continue to succeed. Punishing an employee in front of others can lead to negative feelings and may not be an effective way to encourage behavior change.

Question 8

Ted is a manager at Global Gains, an advertising firm. Kim works as a sales executive in Global Gains. Ted reduced Kim's incentives for three successive months after repeatedly warning her of her incompetence. Kim started having a passive approach toward her job as she believed that she would fail no matter what. She was convinced that she would never be able to achieve what was expected of her. Which of the following describes Kim's situation?

Accepted Answer

Kim's situation is an example of learned helplessness, where a person becomes passive and feels powerless to change their situation after experiencing repeated failure or negative consequences despite their efforts.

Question 9

An intrinsic reward is

Accepted Answer

An intrinsic reward is the personal satisfaction and sense of accomplishment that comes from performing a task or achieving a goal. It is not dependent on external factors such as compensation or praise, but rather is an internal feeling of fulfillment. Therefore, choice C is the best option as it directly corresponds to the definition of an intrinsic reward.

Question 10

Greta, the manager of a company, has implemented a payments-for-suggestions plan whereby employees get paid for providing valid suggestions that can help the company. She found that not many employees came forward with suggestions. Upon further investigation, she found out that employees did not think that they would actually be paid for making suggestions. So, she made the payments-for-suggestions plan part of their work contract, which guaranteed that they would be paid. According to Vroom's expectancy-valence theory, Greta has increased the ________ of her plan to motivate her employees.

Accepted Answer

By making the payments-for-suggestions plan part of the work contract, Greta has increased the instrumentality, which is the belief that performing a certain behavior will lead to a particular outcome. In this case, it's the belief that making suggestions will indeed lead to being paid.

Question 11

Which of the following is an example of punishment?

Accepted Answer

Punishment involves applying an unpleasant consequence to decrease the likelihood of a behavior being repeated. In this case, the assembly-line worker is being docked (having wages withheld) for being late, which is an example of punishment. In options A, B, and D, there is either a reward or no consequence, which does not fit the definition of punishment.

Question 12

Reinforcement differs from punishment in that it is

Accepted Answer

Reinforcement is generally more effective in the long term because it encourages the repetition of a desired behavior by offering a positive outcome, leading to more lasting behavioral changes compared to punishment.

Question 13

________ theory says that the strength of motivation equals the perceived value of the outcome of a particular behavior times the perceived probability that the behavior will result in the outcome.

Accepted Answer

Vroom's expectancy-valence theory proposes that motivation comes from the belief that effort leads to performance (expectancy) and that performance leads to outcomes (valence). The theory states that the strength of motivation is determined by the perceived value of the outcome (valence) times the perceived probability that the behavior will result in the outcome (expectancy). This means that individuals will be motivated to engage in behaviors that they believe will lead to outcomes that they value and can realistically achieve.

Question 14

According to Vroom's expectancy-valence theory, valence is

Accepted Answer

Valence refers to the value a person places on the outcome of a particular behavior. It is a measure of how desirable or undesirable an outcome is perceived to be. Vroom's expectancy-valence theory suggests that people are motivated to engage in behaviors when they believe that their effort will lead to a desirable outcome (expectancy) and that the outcome is personally valuable to them (valence).

Question 15

Reinforcement theory implies that supervisors can

Accepted Answer

Reinforcement theory suggests that behavior can be encouraged or discouraged by the way it is reinforced or punished. Supervisors can use this theory to shape and encourage desired behaviors in their employees by providing positive reinforcement or discouraging undesired behaviors through punishment or negative reinforcement. Money is not the only motivator, and the piecework system may not be an effective method of punishment or reinforcement for all employees. The Pygmalion effect refers to the phenomenon where expectations of individuals can impact their performance and motivation, but it is not a reliable method for accurately determining an employee's motivation levels.

Question 16

An extrinsic reward

Accepted Answer

An extrinsic reward is a type of compensation that is external to the task accomplished. It can include things like bonuses, recognition, or other forms of compensation given in exchange for completing a task or reaching a certain goal. It is not the personal satisfaction that comes directly from performing a task (which would be intrinsic reward).

Question 17

According to Vroom's expectancy-valence theory, expectancy is

Accepted Answer

Vroom's expectancy-valence theory states that motivation is determined by expectancy, instrumentality, and valence. Expectancy is the perceived likelihood that a behavior will lead to a particular outcome.

Question 18

________ theory maintains that people's behavior is influenced largely by the consequences of their past behavior.

Accepted Answer

Reinforcement theory states that behavior is influenced by the consequences of past behavior, with positive consequences (reinforcement) increasing the likelihood of repetition of the behavior and negative consequences (punishment) reducing the likelihood of repetition.

Question 19

Repeated punishment or failure can lead to an unhappy consequence called

Accepted Answer

The phenomenon described in the question is called learned helplessness. This occurs when an individual repeatedly encounters negative or uncontrollable experiences and begins to believe that they have no control over the outcome of a situation. As a result, they may stop trying to improve or exert effort because they feel that their actions will not make a difference. This can lead to feelings of sadness, frustration, and hopelessness. Loss aversion, repression, and self-serving bias are not directly related to this concept.

Question 20

The content theories of motivation imply that money

Accepted Answer

The content theories of motivation suggest that people are motivated by fulfilling their needs. Money can be a motivator when it exceeds an individual's needs, such as providing security or a sense of accomplishment. However, if the salary is insufficient to meet an individual's needs, it may not be a motivator.

Quiz 11: Motivating Employees