Question 1

________ theory attempts to explain behavior change by suggesting that behavior with positive consequences tends to be repeated while behavior with negative consequences tends not to be repeated.

Accepted Answer

Reinforcement theory attempts to explain behavior change by suggesting that behavior with positive consequences tends to be repeated, whereas behavior with negative consequences tends not to be repeated.

Question 2

Because the production division at Ricklin's Fences is $10,000 below budget due to process improvements, this year 25 percent of the savings will be returned to the division to spend as desired as a form of

Accepted Answer

Gainsharing is the distribution of savings or "gains" to groups of employees who reduced costs and increased measurable productivity.

Question 3

Levi teaches fourth grade at a local elementary school. He significantly increased his salary by earning a master's degree in education. Levi's increased salary is an example of

Accepted Answer

Also known as skill-based pay, pay for knowledge ties employee pay to the number of job-relevant skills or academic degrees they earn. The teaching profession is an example; elementary and secondary teachers are encouraged to increase their salaries by earning further college credit.

Question 4

________ is the weakening of behavior by ignoring it or making sure it is not reinforced.

Accepted Answer

Extinction is the weakening of behavior by ignoring it or making sure it is not reinforced.

Question 5

Meili's employer distributes checks at the end of each quarter, representing an equitable portion of 5 percent of the company's pretax profits for the previous quarter. These are ________checks.

Accepted Answer

Profit sharing is the distribution to employees of a percentage of the company's profits.

Question 6

When would you use a motivating potential score?

Accepted Answer

There are three steps to apply the job characteristics model. The first is to diagnose the work environment to see if a problem exists. A self-report instrument for managers to use called the job diagnostic survey will indicate whether an individual's so-called motivating potential score (MPS), or the amount of internal work motivation associated with a specific job, is high or low. The second step is determining whether job redesign is appropriate, and the third step is considering how to redesign the job.

Question 7

In using reinforcement, a manager should

Accepted Answer

Whether using positive reinforcement or punishment, a manager should be clear about what behavior is appropriate and what is undesirable.

Question 8

A supervisor told a salesperson who had not made any calls to clients and therefore did not make quota, "Well, if this continues in the next 30 days, you'll probably be let go." The supervisor provides an example of

Accepted Answer

Punishment is the process of weakening behavior by presenting something negative or withdrawing something positive.

Question 9

Due to changes in production, Hanson Steel gave each employee 75 percent of the cost savings. Hanson Steel uses a ________ compensation plan.

Accepted Answer

Gainsharing is the distribution of savings or "gains" to groups of employees who reduced costs and increased measurable productivity. In one version (the so-called Scanlon plan), a portion of any cost savings, usually 75 percent, is distributed to employees.

Question 10

________ is the use of desirable consequences to strengthen a particular behavior.

Accepted Answer

Positive reinforcement is the use of positive consequences to strengthen a particular behavior.

Question 11

Each year Clifton Falls hosts retreats for organizations. They encourage employers to bring their employees for single days, extended stays, or even full-weeks. Which of Maslow's needs is Clifton Falls helping employers to meet?

Accepted Answer

The love need includes the need for love, friendship, affection. Some workplace examples of love are: office parties, company softball teams, management retreats.

Question 12

When using punishment, a manager should

Accepted Answer

As a manager, you should combine punishment and positive reinforcement. If you're reprimanding an employee, be sure to also say what he or she is doing right and state what rewards the employee might be eligible for.

Question 13

Next semester Helen is planning to take a sabbatical to go to Sweden and study how they utilize nature to teach preschoolers. It fascinates her to know that the children spend all day outside and not in classrooms. Helen has achieved what level of Maslow's hierarchy?

Accepted Answer

The self-actualization need is the highest-level need. It includes the need for self-fulfillment: increasing competence, using abilities to the fullest. One workplace example is sabbatical leave to further personal growth.

Question 14

A sales commission is an example of a ________ compensation plan.

Accepted Answer

Pay-for-performance compensation bases pay on one's results. An example is the sales commission, in which sales representatives are paid a percentage of the earnings the company made from their sales, so that the more they sell, the more they are paid.

Question 15

It has been two years since any employee has received a bonus at Cloud9, and the possibility of getting one no longer seems to motivate employees. In this case, management has inadvertently applied

Accepted Answer

Extinction is the weakening of behavior by ignoring it or making sure it is not reinforced.

Question 16

________ is the process of strengthening a behavior by withdrawing something negative.

Accepted Answer

Negative reinforcement is the process of strengthening a behavior by withdrawing something negative.

Question 17

Which of the following criterion is NOT a characteristic of the best incentive plans?

Accepted Answer

For incentive plans to work, certain criteria are advisable, as follows: (1) The rewards must be linked to performance and be measurable. (2) The rewards must satisfy individual needs. (3) The rewards must be agreed on by the manager and employees. (4) The rewards must be believable and achievable by employees. When using monetary rewards, they need to be based on performance, used as a bonus, be part of profit sharing or gainsharing, not just a random amount given to all for no specific reason.

Question 18

Iman's manager, using ________, required him to give up his company car because he had missed sales goals for four consecutive quarters.

Accepted Answer

Punishment is the process of weakening behavior by presenting something negative or withdrawing something positive.

Question 19

Armando has a summer job hand-dyeing shirts that will be sold on the boardwalk. He is paid $5.00 per shirt. Armando is being paid on a ________ compensation plan.

Accepted Answer

Pay-for-performance compensation bases pay on one's results. An example is payment according to a piece rate, in which employees are paid according to how much output they produce, as is often used with farm workers picking fruits and vegetables.

Question 20

Joyce would like to start working on a flexible schedule. Which is an option would Joyce NOT discuss with her employer?

Accepted Answer

There is a whole class of nonmonetary incentives to attract, retain, and motivate employees. The foremost example is the flexible workplace, including part-time work, flex-time, a compressed workweek, job sharing, and telecommuting.

Quiz 12: Motivating Employees: Achieving Superior Performance in the Workplace

________ theory attempts to explain behavior change by suggesting that behavior with positive consequences tends to be repeated while behavior with negative consequences tends not to be repeated.

Because the production division at Ricklin's Fences is $10,000 below budget due to process improvements, this year 25 percent of the savings will be returned to the division to spend as desired as a form of

Levi teaches fourth grade at a local elementary school. He significantly increased his salary by earning a master's degree in education. Levi's increased salary is an example of

________ is the weakening of behavior by ignoring it or making sure it is not reinforced.

Meili's employer distributes checks at the end of each quarter, representing an equitable portion of 5 percent of the company's pretax profits for the previous quarter. These are ________checks.

When would you use a motivating potential score?

In using reinforcement, a manager should

A supervisor told a salesperson who had not made any calls to clients and therefore did not make quota, "Well, if this continues in the next 30 days, you'll probably be let go." The supervisor provides an example of

Due to changes in production, Hanson Steel gave each employee 75 percent of the cost savings. Hanson Steel uses a ________ compensation plan.

________ is the use of desirable consequences to strengthen a particular behavior.

Each year Clifton Falls hosts retreats for organizations. They encourage employers to bring their employees for single days, extended stays, or even full-weeks. Which of Maslow's needs is Clifton Falls helping employers to meet?

When using punishment, a manager should

Next semester Helen is planning to take a sabbatical to go to Sweden and study how they utilize nature to teach preschoolers. It fascinates her to know that the children spend all day outside and not in classrooms. Helen has achieved what level of Maslow's hierarchy?

A sales commission is an example of a ________ compensation plan.

It has been two years since any employee has received a bonus at Cloud9, and the possibility of getting one no longer seems to motivate employees. In this case, management has inadvertently applied

________ is the process of strengthening a behavior by withdrawing something negative.

Which of the following criterion is NOT a characteristic of the best incentive plans?

Iman's manager, using ________, required him to give up his company car because he had missed sales goals for four consecutive quarters.

Armando has a summer job hand-dyeing shirts that will be sold on the boardwalk. He is paid $5.00 per shirt. Armando is being paid on a ________ compensation plan.

Joyce would like to start working on a flexible schedule. Which is an option would Joyce NOT discuss with her employer?