Question 1

Jeff and Rob have a difficult time getting along at work. Most days, Jeff spends a lot of time cracking jokes and goofing off, while Rob constantly nags him and tells him to act like a grownup. On days when Jeff is more reserved, Rob does not nag him, hoping that this will result in improved behavior down the road. This is an example of which form of behavior modification?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Jeff and Rob have a difficult time...

Question 2

While job ____ can lead to greater task efficiencies, it has failed as a motivational technique.

Accepted Answer

Job simplification involves breaking down tasks into smaller, simpler components, which can improve efficiency but often reduces job satisfaction and motivation as it makes work monotonous and less engaging.

Question 3

Which of the following combines a series of tasks into one new, broader job?

Accepted Answer

Job enlargement combines a series of tasks into one new, broader job. Job simplification involves breaking down a job into smaller, simpler tasks. Job rotation involves moving employees from one job to another. Job characteristics refer to the aspects of a job that lead to job satisfaction. Job lay-off involves terminating employees due to reasons such as budget cuts or restructuring.

Question 4

One of your fellow students is continually late to class. The professor has tried numerous verbal warnings and recently took points away from the student's grade. Based on the above, the professor's actions are consistent with which of the following reinforcement techniques?

Accepted Answer

The professor's actions of taking points away from the student's grade is an example of punishment, which is a type of behavior modification technique that involves the presentation of an unpleasant consequence following a behavior, in order to decrease the likelihood of that behavior occurring in the future.

Question 5

Which theory proposes that an individual's motivation can result not just from direct experience of rewards and punishments but also from the person's thoughts and beliefs and his or her observations of other people's behavior?

Accepted Answer

Social learning theory proposes that individuals can learn and be motivated by observing others' behavior and the outcomes that follow. This theory suggests that motivation isn't just a result of direct experience of rewards and punishments but also shaped by beliefs and perceptions about the outcomes of certain behaviors.

Question 6

_____ systematically moves employees from one job to another, thereby increasing the number of different tasks an employee performs without increasing the complexity of any one job.

Accepted Answer

Job rotation systematically moves employees from one job to another, increasing their exposure to different tasks without increasing the complexity of any one job. Job simplification involves reducing the number of tasks performed by an employee, job enlargement involves increasing the number of tasks but not necessarily increasing the complexity, and job enrichment involves increasing the level of responsibility and autonomy in a job.

Question 7

Which of the following refers to the degree to which an employee performs a total job with a recognizable beginning and ending?

Accepted Answer

Task identity refers to the degree to which an employee performs a total job with a recognizable beginning and ending.

Question 8

_____ is an important part of the job characteristics model.

Accepted Answer

The job characteristics model includes five core dimensions, one of which is critical psychological states. This refers to the essential psychological states employees must experience in order to perceive their work as meaningful and satisfying. The other options (B and C) are not part of the job characteristics model.

Question 9

Larry is looking for ways to increase the number of different tasks that an employee performs without increasing task complexity. He should try:

Accepted Answer

Job rotation involves moving employees through different positions or tasks within an organization. This allows employees to gain exposure to a variety of job duties and can help to increase their skill sets without making tasks more complex. Therefore, job rotation is the best option for increasing the number of different tasks that an employee performs without increasing task complexity. Job simplification involves reducing the number of tasks or steps involved in a job, while job enlargement involves adding more tasks to a job without necessarily increasing complexity. Job enrichment involves adding more responsibilities and challenges to a job to make it more fulfilling, and job lay-off involves terminating employees' positions.

Question 10

_____ is the imposition of unpleasant outcomes on an employee.

Accepted Answer

Punishment is the imposition of unpleasant outcomes on an employee. This can include reprimands, demotions, or even termination of employment as a consequence of unacceptable behavior or poor performance.

Question 11

Which of the following techniques reduces the likelihood that behavior will be repeated?

Accepted Answer

Extinction is the process of withholding reinforcement for a particular behavior, which reduces the likelihood that the behavior will be repeated in the future. Positive reinforcement and reward enhancement both increase the likelihood of behavior being repeated, while negative reinforcement involves removing an aversive stimulus to increase behavior, but does not decrease the likelihood of behavior being repeated. Therefore, C is the best choice as it directly addresses the reduction of behavior.

Question 12

_____ occurs when an individual sees others perform certain behaviors and get rewarded for them.

Accepted Answer

Vicarious learning, also known as observational learning or social learning, occurs when an individual observes others performing certain behaviors and being rewarded for them. Through this observation, the individual learns and performs similar behaviors in the hope of receiving a similar reward.

Question 13

At Rightway Industries, new hires spend a significant portion of their first week of training just walking around the factory, observing other workers and watching them get rewarded for doing their jobs well. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Vicarious learning involves observing others and learning from their experiences or behaviors. In this scenario, the new hires are observing other workers and watching them get rewarded for doing their jobs well, which is an example of vicarious learning. Self-efficacy is the belief in one's own ability to succeed, self-reinforcement involves rewarding oneself for good behavior, delegation involves assigning tasks to others, and experiential learning involves learning through direct experience.

Question 14

The core dimension of Hackman and Oldham's model of job characteristics that is based on the number of diverse activities that make up a job is known as:

Accepted Answer

The core dimension of Hackman and Oldham's model of job characteristics that is based on the number of diverse activities that make up a job is known as skill variety. Autonomy refers to the level of control an employee has over their work, job enlargement is the practice of adding more tasks to a job, task identity refers to the degree to which a job involves completion of a whole piece of work, and feedback refers to the extent to which an employee receives information about their performance.

Question 15

A job design that incorporates achievement, recognition, and other high-level motivators into the work is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Job enrichment is a job design that involves incorporating motivation factors such as achievement, recognition, and other high-level motivators into the job. This is done by giving employees more responsibility, autonomy, and opportunities for growth and development. Job simplification involves breaking down complex tasks into simpler ones, job rotation involves rotating employees through different job roles, and job enlargement involves adding more tasks to a job to increase its scope.

Question 16

Which of the following is the application of motivational theories to the structure of work for improving productivity and satisfaction?

Accepted Answer

Job design involves applying motivational theories to the structure of work in order to improve productivity and job satisfaction. This can involve redesigning jobs to include increased autonomy, skill variety, and task significance, as well as incorporating feedback and opportunities for personal development. Job design can also include ensuring that employees have the necessary resources and support to perform their job duties effectively. Overall, job design is focused on creating jobs that are challenging, meaningful, and engaging for employees, which can increase motivation, satisfaction, and performance.

Question 17

Which of these combines a number of tasks horizontally into one, new broader job?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of these combines a number of...

Question 18

Karen is a first line supervisor at Wolfs, Inc. She wishes to increase her employee's opportunities for growth and learning. Which of the following techniques should she use?

Accepted Answer

Job enrichment provides employees with more challenging and meaningful work, which can lead to increased growth and learning opportunities.

Question 19

One of your fellow team members at work is continually disrupting the team's work with jokes and general horseplay. You hope that by ignoring him he will stop this senseless behavior. You are attempting to use which reinforcement tool?

Accepted Answer

Extinction involves removing a reinforcing consequence in order to decrease the likelihood of a behavior occurring in the future. In this case, by ignoring the team member's disruptive behavior, you are removing the attention he is seeking, which may lead to a decrease in the behavior over time.

Question 20

Which of these refers to the withdrawal of a positive reward, meaning that behavior is no longer reinforced and hence is less likely to occur in the future?

Accepted Answer

Extinction refers to the withdrawal of a positive reward or reinforcement, meaning that behavior is no longer reinforced and hence is less likely to occur in the future. Avoidance learning, punishment, and positive reinforcement involve the addition of a consequence to either encourage or discourage behavior.

Quiz 16: Motivating Employees