Question 1

Path-goal theory suggests that leaders should respond to autonomous group members with unstructured tasks from a

Accepted Answer

According to the path-goal theory, leaders should respond to autonomous group members with unstructured tasks with a participative leadership style. This type of leadership involves encouraging participation and input from group members in decision-making and problem-solving. By involving group members in the process, the leader can help to increase motivation and commitment to the task, as well as build a sense of ownership and responsibility among the group.

Question 2

Challenging followers to perform work at the highest levels possible is an example of which leadership behavior?

Accepted Answer

Challenging followers to perform work at the highest levels possible is an example of achievement-oriented leadership behavior, which focuses on setting high expectations and providing challenging goals to motivate and inspire followers to achieve their full potential. This type of leadership style is often effective in boosting organizational performance, enhancing employee engagement and job satisfaction, and promoting creativity and innovation.

Question 3

Path-goal theory suggests all of the following except:

Accepted Answer

Path-goal theory does not specifically emphasize that leaders need confidence and articulateness; it focuses more on how leaders can adapt their style to fit the needs of their subordinates and the work environment to enhance motivation and effectiveness.

Question 4

Which of the following leadership theories expects the leader to continually be concerned about subordinate motivation?

Accepted Answer

Path-goal theory emphasizes that the leader's role is to assist subordinates in attaining their goals and to provide the necessary direction and support to ensure that their goals are compatible with the overall objectives of the group or organization. To achieve this, the leader should be concerned about subordinate motivation and provide the necessary guidance and support to ensure that subordinates are motivated to achieve their goals.

Question 5

Path-goal theory is about how leaders _________ subordinates to accomplish designated ________.

Accepted Answer

Path-goal theory focuses on how leaders motivate their subordinates to achieve set goals by clarifying the path to those goals and removing obstacles.

Question 6

Path-goal theory integrates into which of the following theories of leadership?

Accepted Answer

Path-goal theory integrates with expectancy theory as it focuses on how leaders can help followers achieve their goals by clarifying the path to those goals and removing obstacles, aligning with the principles of expectancy theory which emphasizes motivation through expected outcomes.

Question 7

What best resembles the consideration behavior construct?

Accepted Answer

Consideration behavior is characterized by supportive actions, focusing on building relationships and attending to the needs of team members.

Question 8

It is accurate to say that directive leadership

Accepted Answer

Directive leadership provides clear performance standards and specific directions to followers. It is focused on task completion and achieving goals, rather than involving the group in decision-making or considering individual well-being.

Question 9

Tasks that are unclear and ambiguous call for leadership input that

Accepted Answer

Tasks that are unclear and ambiguous require structure to provide clarity and direction. Leadership input can help provide this structure through setting goals, defining roles and responsibilities, and developing a clear plan of action. Support, obstacle removal, and being achievement-oriented are also important leadership qualities, but may not be as effective in addressing the specific challenge of unclear and ambiguous tasks.

Question 10

In contexts where the group norms are weak or nonsupportive, leadership assists in building __________ and ____________.

Accepted Answer

In weak or nonsupportive group norms, it is important for leadership to build cohesiveness and clarify each member's role and responsibility in the group. This can help improve group effectiveness and create a stronger sense of teamwork.

Question 11

Using the path-goal approach, expectancy theory suggests that

Accepted Answer

The path-goal approach suggests that leaders should provide followers with specific guidance and support to help them achieve their goals. Expectancy theory suggests that followers are motivated if they believe that their efforts will lead to a valuable reward or payoff. Therefore, combining both theories, it can be inferred that a leader should help followers understand the relationship between effort and performance to increase their motivation. Choice A is partially correct but does not fully capture the essence of the path-goal approach. Choice C is too broad and does not specifically relate to motivation. Choices D and E are incorrect as motivation is directly related to ability and the quality of leader-follower relationships.

Question 12

The need for directive leadership increases when employees

Accepted Answer

Directive leadership involves a clear and structured approach, with the leader giving specific guidance and instructions to the employees. This style is useful when employees feel uncertain or lack confidence in their abilities, such as when they believe that outside circumstances control their lives. In such situations, directive leadership provides a sense of stability and direction, enabling employees to complete their work with confidence.

Question 13

Each week your supervisor holds a meeting in which he invites you and all the other employees to give feedback regarding current projects. According to path-goal theory, which behavior best describes your supervisor?

Accepted Answer

Participative behavior involves involving subordinates in decision-making processes, and seeking and considering their input and feedback. By inviting employees to provide feedback during meetings, the supervisor is exhibiting participative behavior.

Question 14

Path-goal theory could be best described as a

Accepted Answer

Path-goal theory is primarily a motivational theory that emphasizes the role of a leader in increasing their followers' motivation to achieve their goals by showing support and guiding them along the path to success. The theory suggests that the leader's behavior should match the needs and preferences of their followers in order to motivate them effectively.

Question 15

Subordinates who have strong needs for affiliation prefer which type of leadership behavior?

Accepted Answer

Subordinates with strong needs for affiliation tend to value interpersonal relationships and a sense of belonging. The supportive leadership style emphasizes showing concern for subordinates’ well-being, fostering a friendly work climate, and encouraging teamwork and collaboration. This leadership style is likely to be most effective in satisfying the affiliation needs of these subordinates.

Question 16

In path-goal theory, the main components are ________, _________, and ________.

Accepted Answer

Path-goal theory consists of three main components, namely, leader style, subordinate characteristics, and work setting. Leader style refers to the behavior and approach of the leader. Subordinate characteristics include factors such as ability, experience, and locus of control. Work setting involves the nature of the task, the structure of the organization, and the degree of authority given to the leader.

Question 17

Path-goal theory suggests that leaders should respond to dogmatic/authoritarian followers from a

Accepted Answer

Path-goal theory suggests that leaders should adapt their leadership style based on the characteristics of their followers, including their level of dogmaticism or authoritarianism. Dogmatic/authoritarian followers are generally more comfortable with clear, directive instructions from their leaders. Therefore, the best choice in this case is A) Directive style to provide clear guidance and instructions to the followers.

Question 18

House introduced new behaviors in his reformulated path-goal theory in 1996. These include all of the following except

Accepted Answer

All of the other options (A, B, C, and D) are new behaviors that House introduced in his reformulated path-goal theory. The inherent trait approach, on the other hand, is not a new behavior but rather a traditional approach to leadership that focuses on the leader's inherent traits and characteristics. Thus, the correct answer is E.

Question 19

Your supervisor gives you a new project. You are informed that you have exactly 1 week to complete it and are handed an outline of what the final project should resemble. According to path-goal theory, which behavior best describes your supervisor?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Your supervisor gives you a new project....

Question 20

As the followers' perception of their own ability and competence increases

Accepted Answer

As the followers' perception of their own ability and competence increases, they become more self-sufficient and less reliant on direction from their leaders. Therefore, the need for directive leadership goes down, as followers are able to take on more responsibility and make decisions for themselves.

Quiz 7: Leadermember Exchange Theory