Question 1

McClelland believes that the need for personal power is essential to managerial leadership.

Accepted Answer

McClelland's theory emphasizes three primary needs: achievement, affiliation, and power. However, he distinguishes between personal power (which can be detrimental to leadership as it focuses on controlling others) and institutional power (or social power), which is considered essential for effective managerial leadership as it focuses on organizing group efforts to achieve goals.

Question 2

According to the hierarchy of needs theory,the need to self-actualize can never be fully met.

Accepted Answer

According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory, the need to self-actualize is the highest level of needs and it can never be fully met as it involves personal growth, creativity, and realization of one's full potential, which is a continuous process.

Question 3

Abraham Maslow classifies physiological needs as lower-order needs in his human needs theory.

Accepted Answer

In Maslow's hierarchy of needs, physiological needs, such as food, water, and shelter, are considered to be the most basic or lower-order needs.

Question 4

Benevolents are people who have a desire to be over-rewarded.

Accepted Answer

The definition of benevolent is a desire to do good deeds or to help others without expecting anything in return. Therefore, benevolents do not have a desire to be over-rewarded.

Question 5

Managers can create positive instrumentalities by rewarding people on a performance-contingent basis.

Accepted Answer

When managers reward people based on their performance, they create positive instrumentalities. This means that employees will see a direct correlation between their efforts and the rewards they receive, which can motivate them to work harder and improve their performance. This is a key principle of performance management and can help organizations achieve their goals more effectively.

Question 6

Extinction strategies are employed to strengthen or increase the frequency of desirable behavior.

Accepted Answer

Extinction strategies are actually employed to weaken or decrease the frequency of undesirable behavior.

Question 7

Under-reward inequity occurs when an individual perceives that his or her outcomes-to-inputs ratio is greater than that of his or her referent.

Accepted Answer

Under-reward inequity occurs when an individual perceives that his or her outcomes-to-inputs ratio is less than that of his or her referent. This means that the referent is receiving more rewards for the same or less amount of effort put in.

Question 8

Verbal persuasion is a way of enhancing self-efficacy by praising the efforts of a person performing a job.

Accepted Answer

Verbal persuasion involves using words to convince someone that they are capable of performing a task, and praising their efforts is a common technique used to increase their self-efficacy. Therefore, the statement is true.

Question 9

The lower-order needs in Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory are similar to growth needs in ERG theory.

Accepted Answer

The lower-order needs in Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory are similar to existence and relatedness needs in ERG theory, not growth needs. Growth needs in ERG theory are similar to Maslow's self-actualization needs.

Question 10

The equity theory states that people who are treated unfairly will be motivated to act in ways that reduce the perceived inequity.

Accepted Answer

The equity theory suggests that a person's motivation is influenced by their perception of fairness in the treatment they receive in comparison to others. If they perceive an inequity and feel they are being treated unfairly, they may take action to reduce this perceived inequity.

Question 11

Expectancy theory predicts that high expectancy,instrumentality,and valence will result in zero motivation.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. According to expectancy theory, high expectancy (belief that effort will lead to performance), high instrumentality (belief that performance will lead to rewards), and high valence (belief that rewards will have value) all lead to higher levels of motivation.

Question 12

According to Stacy Adams,to deal with negative inequity,people change their work inputs by putting less effort into their jobs.

Accepted Answer

According to Stacy Adams' equity theory, people experiencing negative inequity may reduce their work inputs as a way of restoring perceived fairness in their situation.

Question 13

According to Herzberg,improving the hygiene factors can increase job satisfaction and motivation.

Accepted Answer

Herzberg's two-factor theory suggests that improving hygiene factors (such as salary, working conditions, and job security) can prevent job dissatisfaction, but it is the presence of motivators (such as recognition, achievement, and personal growth) that truly increases job satisfaction and motivation.

Question 14

Locke's goal-setting theory states that task goals can be motivating when they are set through participatory means.

Accepted Answer

Locke's goal-setting theory suggests that involving employees in the goal-setting process can increase motivation and commitment to achieving those goals. Therefore, task goals set through participatory means can be more motivating than those set by a manager alone.

Question 15

According to Frederick Herzberg,issues related to the work environment are satisfier factors.

Accepted Answer

According to Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory, issues related to work environment (e.g. lighting, temperature, cleanliness) are hygiene factors, not satisfier factors. Satisfier factors are related to the nature of the work itself and include things like achievement, recognition, and growth opportunities.

Question 16

An intermittent reinforcement schedule works best to draw forth a desired behavior.

Accepted Answer

The answer of An intermittent reinforcement schedule works best to...

Question 17

According to the hierarchy of needs theory,the lower-order needs focus on desires for psychological development and growth.

Accepted Answer

The lower-order needs in the hierarchy of needs theory focus on basic physiological and safety needs, while the higher-order needs focus on psychological development and growth.

Question 18

In McClelland's view,the successful executive is likely to possess a high need for social power that is greater than an otherwise strong need for affiliation.

Accepted Answer

According to McClelland's theory, a successful executive is likely to have a high need for social power that exceeds their need for affiliation. This means that they prioritize achieving influence and control over others, rather than seeking close relationships and social connections.

Question 19

High need achievers prefer achievable but challenging goals and expect feedback on performance.

Accepted Answer

High need achievers strive for success and prefer goals that are challenging but still attainable. They also seek regular feedback on their performance to continuously improve and reach their goals.

Question 20

Performance-outcome expectancy refers to a person's belief that successful performance will be followed by rewards and other work related outcomes.

Accepted Answer

Performance-outcome expectancy is defined as the belief that successful performance will lead to specific outcomes or rewards, such as promotions, higher pay, or recognition. It is an important component of motivation and influences an individual's effort, choice, and persistence in performing a task.

Quiz 16: Motivation Theory and Practice