Question 1

Choose the correct statement about personal dispositions.
A) People with a positive core self-evaluation tend to experience job satisfaction.
B) Rather than doing nothing, people with negative core self-evaluations always act aggressively toward the people they blame.
C) In general, job turnover is higher among employees who are high in emotional stability and conscientiousness.
D) People with negative affectivity tend to be satisfied with their jobs after changing their occupations.
E) Core self-evaluations are bottom-line opinions that are positive in nature.

Accepted Answer

Research has found that individuals with positive core self-evaluations, which include self-esteem, self-efficacy, locus of control, and emotional stability, tend to experience higher levels of job satisfaction. Option B is incorrect because people with negative core self-evaluations do not always act aggressively. Option C is incorrect because job turnover tends to be lower among individuals who are high in emotional stability and conscientiousness. Option D is incorrect because individuals with negative affectivity tend to be dissatisfied with their jobs even after changing their occupations. Finally, option E is incorrect because core self-evaluations can be positive or negative.

Question 2

________ is an employee's recognition that demands of the job are incompatible or contradictory.
A) Role conflict
B) Role overload
C) Role underload
D) Role ambiguity
E) Role autonomy

Accepted Answer

Role conflict occurs when an employee is faced with conflicting or incompatible demands or expectations from different sources, such as their supervisor, coworkers, or customers. This can create stress and tension for the employee and negatively impact their job performance and overall job satisfaction. Role overload refers to situations where an employee feels overwhelmed by the amount of work or responsibilities they have, while role underload refers to situations where an employee feels that their job is not challenging or demanding enough. Role ambiguity refers to a lack of clarity or understanding about what is expected of an employee in their job, while role autonomy refers to the degree of freedom and discretion an employee has in carrying out their job duties.

Question 3

After an organization downsizes, it may expect much of its remaining employees. This high expectation and demand occur in a state of role ________ for the employees.
A) autonomy
B) carve-out
C) underload
D) distance
E) overload

Accepted Answer

Downsizing often results in a reduction of workforce, which leads to an increased workload for the remaining employees. This situation is called an overload, and it occurs when employees are expected to take on additional responsibilities to compensate for the loss of their co-workers.

Question 4

The positive or negative bottom-line views that people have of themselves are known as
A) negative affectivities.
B) factor comparisons.
C) core self-evaluations.
D) fair representations.
E) behavioral models.

Accepted Answer

The term used to describe the positive or negative views people have of themselves is core self-evaluations.

Question 5

Adam, an employee at Trite Holdings, decides to leave the company. However, during his exit interview, an HR supervisor learns that Adam had no complaints about the work he did or the pay he received. What would be a source of job dissatisfaction for Adam and likely to lead to his departure?
A) Adam's supervisor defined expectations so clearly, there was no role ambiguity.
B) Adam worked on a team with employees from different functional units.
C) Adam experienced uncivil behavior from his co-workers, and it was not addressed by management.
D) Adam's co-workers were unclear about his work methods, scheduling, and performance criteria.
E) Trite Holdings focused too much on pay as a source of satisfaction.

Accepted Answer

The fact that Adam experienced uncivil behavior from his co-workers and management did not address it suggests that he may have been dissatisfied with the workplace culture and the way his colleagues behaved toward him. This negative social aspect of the job may have contributed to his decision to leave the company.

Question 6

Nick, a highly skilled technician, has been one of the most productive employees at Swank Inc. But after the company went through a downsizing effort, Nick has taken on many more responsibilities and is struggling to keep up. What is the most likely consequence of this situation?
A) Nick experiences role conflict and becomes confused about what to do.
B) Nick experiences role conflict because Swank Inc. asks him to transfer to a position overseas.
C) Nick wonders how Swank Inc. will evaluate his performance, so he asks for a transfer.
D) Nick experiences role overload and becomes dissatisfied with his job.
E) Nick places the responsibility for maintaining positive relationships on his direct supervisor.

Accepted Answer

When an employee like Nick has taken on many more responsibilities due to downsizing or other reasons, it can lead to role overload, which is a type of role conflict where there are too many expectations and demands for one person to handle. This can cause the employee to become dissatisfied with their job and potentially lead to burnout.

Question 7

________ is uncertainty about what the organization and others expect from the employee in terms of what to do or how to do it.
A) Role underload
B) Role ambiguity
C) Role conflict
D) Role overload
E) Role autonomy

Accepted Answer

Role ambiguity refers to the uncertainty that arises from unclear expectations regarding employees' job duties and responsibilities. This can include uncertainty about what tasks to perform, how to perform them, who to report to, and what goals to pursue.

Question 8

________ means pervasive low levels of satisfaction with all aspects of life, compared with other people's feelings.
A) Negative affectivity
B) Outplacement
C) Expatriation
D) Systemic discrimination
E) Cognitive dissonance

Accepted Answer

Negative affectivity refers to a general tendency to experience negative emotions across a range of situations and contexts. This includes feeling dissatisfied with various aspects of life, such as work, relationships, and personal accomplishments. It is often characterized by a sense of pessimism, anxiety, irritability, and dissatisfaction with oneself and others. People with high levels of negative affectivity tend to compare themselves to others and often feel that others are doing better than they are, which can contribute to their feelings of low satisfaction.

Question 9

Braden was recently told by senior management that they expected him to exercise more authority and leadership with his work group. Just two days prior to that, his team told him that while they appreciated the initiative he demonstrated, they expected him to be less authoritative and more democratic in the future. The term that best describes what Braden is experiencing is
A) role carve-out.
B) role distance.
C) role conflict.
D) role underload.
E) role autonomy.

Accepted Answer

Braden is experiencing role conflict, where the expectations from senior management and his team are conflicting with each other. He is being asked to be both more authoritative and more democratic at the same time, which can create a dilemma for him in terms of which direction to take. Role carve-out refers to creating a new role within an existing position, role distance is when an individual distances themselves from their role, role underload is having too little to do in a role, and role autonomy refers to the level of independence and decision-making authority within a role. None of these terms accurately describe Braden's situation.

Question 10

The amount of income linked to each job is called the
A) pay rank.
B) pay status.
C) pay differential.
D) incentive pay.
E) pay level.

Accepted Answer

The amount of income linked to each job is commonly referred to as the pay level. Choice A, pay rank, typically refers to an individual's position in a company's hierarchy. Choice B, pay status, is not a widely recognized term in compensation literature. Choice C, pay differential, usually refers to the difference in pay between two or more job positions. Choice D, incentive pay, refers to monetary compensation offered to incentivize performance or achievement of specific goals.

Question 11

The aspects of a task-namely the complexity of the task, the degree of physical strain and exertion required, and the value an employee places on the task-have particular significance when they are viewed as linked to
A) brand alignment.
B) job dissatisfaction.
C) promotional marketing.
D) sole arbitrations.
E) mediations.

Accepted Answer

The aspects of a task can have a significant impact on job satisfaction, as they affect the physical and mental demands placed on an employee and their perception of the value of the work they are doing. This can lead to higher levels of job dissatisfaction if the task is too complex, requires too much physical strain, or is not valued by the employee.

Question 12

As a predictor of job dissatisfaction, nothing exceeds
A) the nature of the task itself.
B) the geographical location of the firm.
C) negative affectivity.
D) relationships with co-workers.
E) negative self-evaluations.

Accepted Answer

The nature of the task itself is the most important predictor of job dissatisfaction.

Question 13

Employees with negative affectivity are inclined to
A) experience high job satisfaction.
B) experience feelings of anger, contempt, fear, and guilt.
C) seek change in socially acceptable ways.
D) look for the good in others, but not themselves.
E) think highly of themselves, but not others.

Accepted Answer

Employees with negative affectivity tend to experience negative emotions such as anger, contempt, fear, and guilt more frequently than those who do not possess this trait. This can lead to lower job satisfaction and may impact their interactions with others in the workplace.

Question 14

Daniel is an employee at Atex Inc. Recently, he was moved to a new work team to help in the development of a new product. Chris, his supervisor on the new team, describes the set of behaviors that the new team members will expect of Daniel. Daniel, however, feels that these demands contradict the expectations set forth in his previous role at Atex Inc. Which situation is most likely to be the primary source of Daniel's dissatisfaction about his role?
A) Atex Inc. has brought together employees from different functions to form a team, leading to conflicting expectations.
B) Daniel is involved in Atex Inc.'s grapevine communications channel.
C) Daniel is unclear about his work methods because others have different ideas about work processes.
D) Atex Inc. has downsized recently, and employees' work is still going through quality checks.
E) Daniel is unsure how Atex Inc. will evaluate his performance on this new work team.

Accepted Answer

The primary source of Daniel's dissatisfaction is most likely due to conflicting expectations resulting from the formation of a new team consisting of members from different functions with different sets of behaviors and expectations. This could lead to confusion and frustration for employees who are used to working in a certain way and are suddenly expected to adjust to new ways of working. None of the other options presented address this specific issue.

Question 15

When in situations they dislike, employees with positive core self-evaluation tend to
A) experience high job dissatisfaction.
B) blame other people for their problems.
C) seek change in socially acceptable ways.
D) act aggressively toward others.
E) experience feelings of anger, guilt, and nervousness more than others.

Accepted Answer

Employees with positive core self-evaluation tend to seek change in socially acceptable ways rather than experiencing high job dissatisfaction or acting aggressively toward others. They also tend to take responsibility for their problems rather than blaming others, and are less likely to experience negative emotions like anger, guilt, and nervousness in difficult situations.

Question 16

Which of the following best defines job withdrawal?
A) It is the loss of jobs within an organization due to adverse economic forces.
B) It is a set of behaviors with which employees try to avoid the work situation physically, mentally, or emotionally.
C) It is the retracting of a job offer following the results of a pre-employment physical examination.
D) It is a psychological state employees experience upon a job dismissal or retirement.
E) It is the retraction of an employment offer following failure to join on an agreed date.

Accepted Answer

Job withdrawal refers to a set of behaviors with which employees try to avoid the work situation physically, mentally, or emotionally. These behaviors may include absenteeism, lateness, reduced effort, and even resignation or dismissal.

Question 17

Foreign assignments can be highly disruptive to family members, and the resulting role ________ is the top reason that people quit overseas assignments.
A) autonomy
B) overload
C) underload
D) ambiguity
E) conflict

Accepted Answer

The word "disruptive" in the introductory sentence suggests that there could be conflicts arising from foreign assignments. The phrase "resulting role" further suggests that these conflicts could be related to family roles and responsibilities. Therefore, "conflict" is the most appropriate choice. Choices A, B, C, and D are all possible reasons for quitting overseas assignments, but they are not directly related to the disruption caused to family members.

Question 18

Veronica is the supervisor of the recruiting department at Kintex Inc. She is currently in charge of filling a few high-demand positions at Kintex Inc. and is planning to poach talent from rival companies, luring their employees away with job benefits. Drew, the HR head of Kintex Inc., however, argues that Veronica's plan will not work. Which explanation is most likely to strengthen Drew's argument?
A) The candidates have very low self-worth.
B) Veronica assures the candidates that they will receive a company car.
C) Kintex Inc. offers the candidates more vacation time than their current employer.
D) Kintex Inc. offers the candidates better health insurance than their current employer.
E) The candidates are looking for higher pay, not better benefits.

Accepted Answer

The fact that the candidates are looking for higher pay rather than better benefits would support Drew's argument that Veronica's plan of luring them away with job benefits may not be successful.

Question 19

Heidi is a single mother who works full-time and attends to the needs of her two young children. She often feels a lot of pressure in balancing her work and looking after her children. What is Heidi experiencing?
A) role ambiguity
B) role carve-out
C) role conflict
D) role overload
E) role underload

Accepted Answer

Role conflict occurs when an individual is expected to fulfill multiple roles that have conflicting demands. In this case, Heidi is experiencing role conflict as she is expected to fulfill the roles of a mother and a full-time employee, which can often have conflicting demands.

Question 20

When employees cannot work with management to make changes, they may engage in ________, taking their charges to the media in the hope that if the public learns about the situation, the organization will be forced to change.
A) scapegoating
B) progressive discipline
C) benchmarking
D) media manipulation
E) whistle-blowing

Accepted Answer

Whistle-blowing is the act of an employee reporting illegal, unethical, or questionable actions by management or other employees to someone who can take action, such as a government agency or the media. When employees cannot work with management to make changes, they may engage in whistle-blowing, taking their charges to the media in the hope that if the public learns about the situation, the organization will be forced to change.

Quiz 11: Separating and Retaining Employees

Choose the correct statement about personal dispositions.

________ is an employee's recognition that demands of the job are incompatible or contradictory.

After an organization downsizes, it may expect much of its remaining employees. This high expectation and demand occur in a state of role ________ for the employees.

The positive or negative bottom-line views that people have of themselves are known as

Adam, an employee at Trite Holdings, decides to leave the company. However, during his exit interview, an HR supervisor learns that Adam had no complaints about the work he did or the pay he received. What would be a source of job dissatisfaction for Adam and likely to lead to his departure?

Nick, a highly skilled technician, has been one of the most productive employees at Swank Inc. But after the company went through a downsizing effort, Nick has taken on many more responsibilities and is struggling to keep up. What is the most likely consequence of this situation?

________ is uncertainty about what the organization and others expect from the employee in terms of what to do or how to do it.

________ means pervasive low levels of satisfaction with all aspects of life, compared with other people's feelings.

The amount of income linked to each job is called the

The aspects of a task-namely the complexity of the task, the degree of physical strain and exertion required, and the value an employee places on the task-have particular significance when they are viewed as linked to

As a predictor of job dissatisfaction, nothing exceeds

Employees with negative affectivity are inclined to

When in situations they dislike, employees with positive core self-evaluation tend to

Which of the following best defines job withdrawal?

Foreign assignments can be highly disruptive to family members, and the resulting role ________ is the top reason that people quit overseas assignments.

Heidi is a single mother who works full-time and attends to the needs of her two young children. She often feels a lot of pressure in balancing her work and looking after her children. What is Heidi experiencing?

When employees cannot work with management to make changes, they may engage in ________, taking their charges to the media in the hope that if the public learns about the situation, the organization will be forced to change.