Question 1

What are the two factors associated with Herzberg's two-factor theory?

Accepted Answer

Herzberg's two-factor theory identifies two factors that influence employee motivation and job satisfaction: motivator factors (related to the work itself, such as achievement and recognition) and hygiene factors (related to the work environment, such as pay and working conditions).

Question 2

What are the needs associated with Maslow's hierarchy of needs?

Accepted Answer

Maslow's hierarchy of needs consists of five levels: physiological, security, social, esteem, and self-actualization. These levels start from basic physiological needs (such as food and shelter) and progress to more complex needs such as self-actualization (fulfilling one's potential). Therefore, choice D is the correct answer. Choices A, B, and C do not accurately reflect Maslow's hierarchy of needs.

Question 3

Acquired needs theory incorporates which of the following three needs?

Accepted Answer

Acquired needs theory incorporates the needs for achievement, affiliation, and power.

Question 4

Evidence surrounding goal setting theory indicates that, in general, employees' motivation is highest when they are given _________ and __________ goals.

Accepted Answer

Goal setting theory suggests that employees' motivation is highest when they have specific and challenging goals to strive towards. Specific goals help employees focus their efforts and provide a clear standard for success, while difficult goals challenge employees to reach beyond their comfort zone and achieve their full potential. Research has consistently shown that these two types of goals lead to higher levels of performance and motivation. Therefore, choice A) is the best answer.

Question 5

Gareth works as an HR professional in the manufacturing branch of a large automobile company. In the past, the company implemented monetary incentives but found that worker productivity improved only temporarily before returning to baseline levels. To increase task significance, Gareth decides to

Accepted Answer

Introducing workers to customers whose lives were saved by the quality of the company's cars would provide them with a sense of purpose and significance in their work. This could motivate them to continue maximizing the quality of their work and provide them with a deeper understanding of its importance.

Question 6

Of the following core job characteristics, which refers to the discretion and freedom employees may exercise when organizing and completing their work?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy refers to the level of discretion and freedom employees have in organizing and completing their work. Task identity refers to the degree to which employees see the outcome of their work as a whole, while skill variety refers to the range of skills and abilities required to perform the job. Task significance is the extent to which the job has a meaningful impact on the lives of others.

Question 7

According to the Job Characteristics Model, the five core job characteristics influence the following key psychological states:

Accepted Answer

The Job Characteristics Model posits that the five core job characteristics (skill variety, task identity, task significance, autonomy, and feedback) influence three critical psychological states: experienced meaningfulness of the work, experienced responsibility for outcomes of the work, and knowledge of the actual results of the work activities. These states are best represented by choice C: Meaningfulness, knowledge of results, responsibility.

Question 8

Which theory of motivation hypothesizes that each person is motivated by a constellation of three needs, such that the dominant need is the strongest drive of motivation?

Accepted Answer

The Acquired Needs Theory hypothesizes that each person is motivated by a constellation of three needs: the need for achievement, the need for affiliation, and the need for power. The dominant need is the strongest drive of motivation.

Question 9

When an organization provides a recognition award (e.g., gift certificate, plaque) to an employee who performs admirably, what is this an example of?

Accepted Answer

This is an example of positive reinforcement, as the organization is providing a reward in response to the employee's desirable behavior (performing admirably) in order to reinforce and encourage that behavior in the future.

Question 10

Which job characteristic refers to the extent to which employees have control over their job and freedom to dictate their own approach to accomplish tasks?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy refers to the extent to which employees have control over their job and the freedom to dictate their own approach to accomplish tasks. Skill variety refers to the variety of skills and abilities required to perform the job. Need satisfaction refers to whether the job meets the individual's needs and values. Formalization refers to the level of rules, procedures, and regulations in the workplace. Therefore, autonomy is the best choice for this question.

Question 11

Which factor in goal setting theory refers to the determination of an individual to meet their goal?

Accepted Answer

Goal commitment refers to the determination of an individual to meet their goal. This factor is critical in achieving the desired outcome as it helps in providing motivation, persistence, and resilience when faced with challenges or obstacles.

Question 12

Which term refers to the value a person places on a reward, according to expectancy theory?

Accepted Answer

Valence refers to the value or desirability a person places on a particular reward or outcome. In expectancy theory, motivation is influenced by the expectation that effort will lead to performance (expectancy), the expectation that performance will lead to a reward (instrumentality), and the value placed on the reward (valence).

Question 13

Valence and instrumentality are factors in which theory?

Accepted Answer

Valence and instrumentality are factors in expectancy theory, which states that individuals are motivated to pursue certain behaviors if they believe that they will result in specific outcomes that they value (valence) and if they believe that their efforts will lead to those outcomes (instrumentality).

Question 14

Which theory of motivation postulates that individuals compare their inputs and outputs to those of others?

Accepted Answer

Equity theory proposes that employees evaluate their outcomes and inputs in relation to those of their peers. They compare their effort, skills, experience, and time with others, and if they perceive inequity, they experience discomfort and dissatisfaction, which can adversely affect job performance and retention. Therefore, equity theory has significant implications for compensation, rewards, and promotions.

Question 15

What type of needs, according to Herzberg, theoretically lower motivation if they are not met but may not motivate when present?

Accepted Answer

According to Herzberg's two-factor theory, hygiene needs (also called maintenance needs or dissatisfiers) are needs related to the work environment, such as salary, job security, working conditions, policies, and relationships with coworkers. If hygiene needs are not met, they can lower motivation and satisfaction; however, meeting hygiene needs does not necessarily motivate employees but only prevent dissatisfaction. On the other hand, motivator needs (also called growth needs or satisfiers), such as challenge, recognition, achievement, growth, and responsibility, directly contribute to job satisfaction and motivation when present. Relatedness needs refer to the social interactions and relationships with others, which are relevant to both hygiene and motivator needs.

Question 16

Motivation that comes from within a person and is derived from tasks that are personally rewarding to them is _________ motivation.

Accepted Answer

Intrinsic motivation is the type of motivation that comes from within a person and is based on personal rewards rather than external rewards.

Question 17

Self-determination theory proposes that motivation ranges from fully ______ to fully _______.

Accepted Answer

Self-determination theory proposes that motivation can range from fully extrinsic (motivated by external factors such as rewards or punishments) to fully intrinsic (motivated by internal factors such as personal interest or enjoyment). Choice A is incorrect because "satisfactory" is not an established term in self-determination theory. Choice B is incorrect because "direct" and "indirect" do not accurately capture the range of motivation proposed in self-determination theory. Choice D is incorrect because "charismatic" is not relevant to the theory.

Question 18

Which term is used by equity theory to refer to how much an individual prefers to receive an outcome relative to their inputs?

Accepted Answer

Equity theory uses the term "equity sensitivity" to refer to how much an individual prefers to receive an outcome relative to their inputs. This refers to how much individuals are sensitive to fairness and equality in their relationships with others.

Question 19

Studies on goal setting theory suggest that performance can be enhanced through high levels of what factors?

Accepted Answer

The studies on goal setting theory suggest that performance can be enhanced through high levels of goal difficulty and commitment. This means that goals should be challenging enough to motivate individuals to work towards them but realistic enough to be achievable. Additionally, commitment to these goals is crucial as it increases effort and persistence towards achieving them.

Question 20

This core job characteristic refers to employees' perception that their job substantially influences the work, health, or well-being of other people.

Accepted Answer

Task significance is the core job characteristic that refers to the extent to which employees perceive that their job has a significant impact on the lives or work of others. This perception gives a sense of purpose and meaning to the job and contributes to an employee's motivation and job satisfaction. Feedback refers to the extent to which employees receive information about their performance, autonomy refers to the degree of control employees have over their work, and task identity refers to the extent to which employees can see the outcome or end result of their work. While all of these job characteristics are important, they do not specifically address the impact of the job on others.

Quiz 9: Work Motivation