Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

Job design focuses on using motivational theories to structure work in a way that improves productivity and satisfaction. Job enlargement and job simplification are specific strategies of job design, while work redesign and job enrichment are broader concepts that may encompass job design but also include other aspects of organizational change.

Question 2

__________ refers to incorporating high-level motivators into the work, including responsibility, recognition, and opportunities for growth, learning, and achievement.

Accepted Answer

Job enrichment involves adding high-level motivators to a job, such as opportunities for growth, learning, and achievement, as well as responsibility and recognition. Job simplification focuses on reducing the number and variety of tasks in a job, while job rotation involves rotating employees through different jobs. Job enlargement involves adding more tasks of the same level to a job.

Question 3

Which of the following 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, meaning that behavior is no longer reinforced and hence is less likely to occur in the future. Punishment, on the other hand, refers to the presentation of a negative consequence in response to a behavior, with the goal of decreasing the likelihood of that behavior occurring in the future. Avoidance learning and positive reinforcement are both forms of strengthening a behavior by providing positive rewards.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

Extinction involves withholding reinforcement that previously followed a behavior, which eventually leads to a decrease in the likelihood of that behavior being repeated. Positive reinforcement and reward enhancement increase the likelihood of behavior being repeated, while negative reinforcement involves removing aversive stimuli to increase the likelihood of behavior being repeated. Therefore, the correct answer is C.

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, beliefs, and observations of other people's behavior?

Accepted Answer

Social learning theory proposes that individuals can be motivated by observing and mimicking the behavior of others, based on their thoughts, beliefs, and perceptions of the outcomes of those behaviors. This theory was developed by psychologist Albert Bandura and highlights the importance of social modeling and reinforcement in shaping behavior and motivation.

Question 6

__________ is the imposition of unpleasant outcomes on an employee.

Accepted Answer

Punishment is specifically defined as the imposition of unpleasant outcomes on an employee in response to unwanted behavior.

Question 7

While __________ can lead to greater task efficiencies, it is not typically effective as a motivational technique.

Accepted Answer

Job simplification streamlines tasks by breaking them into smaller, more specialized steps. This can lead to greater efficiency, but it typically results in less employee autonomy and may lead to boredom or job dissatisfaction, making it a poor motivator. Job rotation, job enlargement, work redesign, and job enrichment are examples of techniques that can be used to motivate employees through increased job variety, autonomy, and skill development.

Question 8

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

This scenario describes vicarious learning, where new hires learn from observing others and the consequences of their actions. They are not actively participating in the tasks but are gaining knowledge through observation.

Question 9

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. The professor's actions are consistent with which of the following reinforcement techniques?

Accepted Answer

The professor took points away from the student's grade, which is an example of punishment. The goal of punishment is to decrease the frequency of a behavior by associating it with an unpleasant consequence. In this case, the student's tardiness is being punished with a lower grade.

Question 10

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 grown-up. 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 11

Which of the following is not one of the core job dimensions of Hackman and Oldham's job characteristics model?

Accepted Answer

The five core job dimensions of Hackman and Oldham's job characteristics model are skill variety, task identity, task significance, autonomy, and feedback. Task difficulty is not one of the core job dimensions.

Question 12

The core dimension of Hackman and Oldham's job characteristics model that is based on the number of diverse activities that compose a job and the number of skills used to perform it is known as:

Accepted Answer

Skill variety is one of the five core dimensions in the Hackman and Oldham's job characteristics model. It refers to the degree to which a job requires a variety of different activities and skills to complete. Jobs that require a high level of skill variety are typically more challenging and stimulating for employees, and can lead to a greater sense of job satisfaction and engagement. Autonomy refers to the degree of control employees have over their work, job enlargement refers to the practice of adding more tasks to a job, task identity refers to the degree to which a job requires completion of a whole and identifiable piece of work, and feedback refers to the extent to which employees receive information about the effectiveness of their performance.

Question 13

__________ 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 getting rewarded for them. This type of learning is based on the idea that individuals can learn and gain new behaviors by watching others being rewarded or punished for their actions.

Question 14

__________ moves employees systematicallyfrom one job to another to provide variety and stimulation.

Accepted Answer

Job rotation involves systematically moving employees from one job to another to provide variety and stimulation, while also developing their skills and knowledge in different areas. Job simplification involves simplifying tasks to increase efficiency, while job enlargement involves adding more tasks to a job to provide variety. Job enrichment involves giving employees more responsibility and autonomy in their current jobs.

Question 15

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 involves increasing the depth of a job by adding responsibility and control to the employee, which can increase opportunities for growth and learning. Job enlargement involves adding tasks at the same level of responsibility, job rotation involves moving employees through different positions, positive reinforcement involves rewarding desired behavior, and avoidance learning involves learning to avoid negative consequences. While these other techniques may have some impact on employee growth and learning, job enrichment is specifically focused on increasing it.

Question 16

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 is the reinforcement tool that involves ignoring the behavior that is being exhibited with the hope of reducing or eliminating it. In this case, by ignoring the disruptive behavior of the team member, the hope is that he will stop the horseplay. Positive reinforcement rewards good behavior, negative reinforcement removes unwanted behavior by removing the aversive stimulus, avoidance learning involves learning to avoid a negative outcome, and punishment aims to decrease behavior by adding an aversive stimulus.

Question 17

Which of the following combines a series of small tasks into one, new broader job so that people perform a variety of activities?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following combines a series...

Question 18

Research shows that all of the following are associated with job enrichment except:

Accepted Answer

Job enrichment is associated with higher employee morale, greater sense of employee motivation, stronger organizational performance, and a greater sense of employee commitment. However, research does not indicate any association between job enrichment and higher turnover. In fact, job enrichment is supposed to reduce turnover by providing employees with greater job satisfaction and engagement.

Question 19

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 20

__________ is a major part of the job characteristics model.

Accepted Answer

The major components of the Job Characteristics Model include skill variety, task identity, task significance, autonomy, feedback, and critical psychological states. The critical psychological states refer to experiences at work that result in meaningfulness of work, responsibility for outcomes, and knowledge of results. The other options (B and C) are not components of the Job Characteristics Model.

Quiz 16: Motivating Employees