Question 1

Cheri and Aaron both wanted to work part-time,and they found a lawyer who was willing to split one full-time paralegal job between the two of them so that Cheri works mornings and Aaron works afternoons.This arrangement is known as

Accepted Answer

Job sharing is the practice of dividing one full-time job between two or more employees, often to meet caregiving needs, create more flexible work arrangements, or retain talented workers. In this case, Cheri and Aaron are splitting a full-time paralegal job between them, with one working mornings and the other working afternoons.

Question 2

A credit-card company computer triggers a fraud detection alert anytime the credit card suddenly makes a sharp increases in online purchases.This is an example of which type of reinforcement schedule?

Accepted Answer

Variable-ratio reinforcement schedules reinforce behavior after a varying number of responses. In this case, the credit card company's computer triggers a fraud detection alert after a varying number of online purchases, which is an example of a variable-ratio reinforcement schedule.

Question 3

Which of the following motivational strategies is used to provide more autonomy and self-direction to workers?

Accepted Answer

Both empowerment and participation aim to provide workers with more autonomy and self-direction. Empowerment involves delegating decision-making power to employees, while participation allows them to have a voice in decision-making processes. OB Mod (organizational behavior modification) is a broader approach that encompasses a variety of motivational strategies, but it does not necessarily focus on autonomy and self-direction.

Question 4

Organizational rewards can affect which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Organizational rewards have the potential to affect attitudes, behaviors, and motivation of employees. Rewards can influence how employees feel about their work and the organization, the actions they take on the job, and the effort they put into their work. Therefore, all of these are possible outcomes of organizational rewards.

Question 5

Windmere allows its administrative employees to arrive anytime between 7:00 am and 9:00 am.,and leave any time between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm,as long as they work for eight consecutive hours.This arrangement is known as _____.

Accepted Answer

This arrangement is known as flextime, which allows employees to have more control over their work hours as long as they work for the required number of hours per day/week.

Question 6

Which of the following programs applies the concepts of reinforcement theory?

Accepted Answer

Behavior modification applies the concepts of reinforcement theory by using positive reinforcement to increase desired behaviors and negative reinforcement to decrease undesired behaviors.

Question 7

Alberto complimented Daniel on his weekly project update two weeks in a row.Then he waited a month to compliment him again.What reinforcement schedule is he using?

Accepted Answer

Alberto is using a variable-interval reinforcement schedule as the time between each reinforcement (compliment) varies.

Question 8

Many schools think selecting a student for the gifted and talented program is

Accepted Answer

Selecting a student for the gifted and talented program is an example of positive reinforcement as it is a reward for exhibiting exceptional abilities or intelligence.

Question 9

Firefighters work 24 hour shifts eight times a month.They have

Accepted Answer

A compressed work schedule allows employees to work longer shifts for fewer days in the week. In this case, firefighters work 24 hour shifts eight times a month, indicating that they follow a compressed work schedule.

Question 10

A manager who provides reinforcement on the basis of a particular number of behaviors,rather than on the basis of time is using a(n)____ schedule.

Accepted Answer

A fixed-ratio schedule involves reinforcing a behavior after a specific number of responses have been made. This type of schedule encourages high rates of responding since the individual knows that reinforcement is contingent on the completion of a certain number of behaviors. This is different from a fixed-interval schedule, which involves reinforcing a behavior after a specific amount of time has passed, regardless of how many behaviors have been completed in that time period. Variable-interval and variable-ratio schedules involve varying amounts of time or responses before reinforcement is given, respectively. Interval-ratio is not a recognized schedule of reinforcement.

Question 11

Quality control inspectors often randomly select items from an assembly line for inspection.For example,they may take the twelfth,seventeenth,forty-fourth,and sixtieth items.What reinforcement schedule are they using?

Accepted Answer

The inspectors are using a variable-ratio schedule because they are selecting items at random intervals, not at fixed intervals or after a set number of items.

Question 12

A manager who provides reinforcement on a periodic basis,regardless of performance,is using a ____ schedule.

Accepted Answer

A fixed-interval schedule provides reinforcement on a fixed time interval, regardless of performance. It is not contingent on the employee's specific behavior, rather on the passage of time. This can be effective in maintaining some level of motivation, but can also lead to a decrease in performance immediately following the reinforcement.

Question 13

One step in behavior modification is to determine what rewards subordinates desire most and to tie those desired rewards to desired performance.If supervisors simultaneously ignore the unwanted behavior,then the behavior modification is centered around

Accepted Answer

The sentence talks about tying desired rewards to desired performance, which is positive reinforcement. Simultaneously ignoring unwanted behavior is extinction. Therefore, the behavior modification is centered around positive reinforcement and extinction. Punishment is not mentioned in the sentence, so options D and E can be eliminated. Option A mentions "avoidance," which is not necessarily a part of the described process, so it can also be eliminated.

Question 14

Which of the following reinforcement schedules offers a worker the least incentive to do good work?

Accepted Answer

Fixed-interval schedules involve a reinforcement being delivered at a fixed time interval, regardless of the behavior of the worker. This can lead to a decrease in motivation because the worker may feel that their efforts and performance are not directly linked to the reinforcement. In contrast, the other three schedules (fixed-ratio, variable-interval, and variable-ratio) all provide reinforcement based on the worker's behavior and performance, which can be more motivating. Continuous reinforcement is also highly motivating but is not a practical option for most workplaces due to the constant reinforcement required.

Question 15

If you want to maintain an employee's behavior at a high level with minimum fluctuations in the level of the behavior,which of the following schedules of reinforcement would be most successful?

Accepted Answer

Variable-ratio schedules provide reinforcement after an unpredictable number of responses, leading to high and steady response rates with minimal fluctuations.

Question 16

The most basic method of managing employee motivation is

Accepted Answer

The most basic method of managing employee motivation is through the reward system. Providing rewards and recognition for good performance can incentivize employees and increase their motivation to perform well.

Question 17

If,as a supervisor,you have no control over the pay raises,promotions,and rewards,what method(s)of reinforcement are you able to use?

Accepted Answer

The answer of If,as a supervisor,you have no control over...

Question 18

When a subordinate has outstanding performance and his or her supervisor publicly praises it,the supervisor is using

Accepted Answer

By publicy praising the subordinate's outstanding performance, the supervisor is reinforcing the behavior, making it more likely for the subordinate to repeat this performance in the future. This is an example of positive reinforcement, which involves adding a reward or positive consequence to a behavior to increase the likelihood of it happening again.

Question 19

Once a quarter Helene tells her employees how they are doing.What schedule of reinforcement is she using?

Accepted Answer

Helene is providing reinforcement on a fixed-interval schedule because she is giving feedback to her employees once every quarter, which is a specific time interval.

Question 20

Your employees have been "getting away" with questionable practices for the last several years,and you would now like to enforce behavior that adheres to higher standards.Which of the following is the most likely to produce effective long-term results?

Accepted Answer

Combining extinction of the undesired behavior with positive reinforcement of the desired behavior is the most likely to produce effective long-term results. This approach involves not only removing reinforcement for the undesirable behavior but also providing reinforcement for the desired behavior. It is important to reinforce the desired behavior consistently over time to strengthen it and make it more likely to occur in the future. Punishing the behavior until it disappears may produce immediate results, but it may also create a negative work environment and potentially lead to retaliation. Similarly, using extinction to get rid of the behavior may not be effective in the long-term as the behavior may reoccur if the conditions that led to the behavior in the first place remain unchanged. Using avoidance on the undesirable behavior and positive reinforcement of the desired behavior may also be effective in the short-term but does not address the root cause of the undesirable behavior.

Quiz 10: Managing Employee Motivation and Performance