Question 1

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 is an example of vicarious learning, where new hires learn by observing others and their behaviors and the consequences of those behaviors.

Question 2

Daisy tried to apply the job characteristics model to her workforce,but it only worked for some of her employees.Which of the following may be a reason why it did not work for everyone?

Accepted Answer

The Job Characteristics Model suggests that the way a job is designed can impact employee motivation, satisfaction, and productivity, particularly for those with high growth-need strength. Employees low in growth-need strength may not respond as positively to job design changes intended to enhance motivation, as they do not seek opportunities for personal growth and development in the same way.

Question 3

Which of these is sometimes called negative reinforcement?

Accepted Answer

Avoidance learning involves the removal or avoidance of an aversive stimulus when a certain behavior is performed. This is sometimes referred to as negative reinforcement because the behavior that is reinforced is the one that removes the unpleasant stimulus.

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 action of taking points away from the student's grade is an example of punishment. Punishment involves decreasing the probability of a behavior by adding an aversive consequence. In this case, the aversive consequence is the decreased grade. Negative reinforcement would involve increasing the probability of a behavior by removing an aversive stimulus, which is not the case here. Positive reinforcement involves increasing the probability of a behavior by adding a desirable consequence, which also does not apply in this scenario. Avoidance learning involves learning to avoid an aversive stimulus before it is even presented, which is not applicable in this scenario. Rewards enhancement is not a known reinforcement technique.

Question 5

Abbi works at Railroad Ties.Her bosses continually indicate that her motivational level is low.Abbi agrees,but is unwilling to work harder until the company changes the types of reward it offers its employees.Which of the following is low for Abbi?

Accepted Answer

The valence is the perceived value or attractiveness of the rewards offered by the company. Abbi's unwillingness to work harder until the company changes its rewards suggests that she does not find the current rewards offered very valuable or attractive, indicating a problem with valence. Expectancy and O -> P indicators are not relevant to the situation described, and motivators cannot be determined from the given information.

Question 6

The _____ involves whether putting effort into a task will lead to high performance.

Accepted Answer

The E -> P expectancy (Effort -> Performance expectancy) involves the belief that one's effort will lead to successful performance on a task. This is a key concept in expectancy theory, which suggests that individuals are motivated to engage in behaviors when they believe their efforts will lead to desired outcomes.

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a common method for reducing a perceived inequity?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is NOT a...

Question 8

Which of the following is the arousal,direction,and persistence of behavior?

Accepted Answer

Motivation is defined as the arousal (what initiates behavior), direction (what drives behavior towards a specific goal), and persistence (the maintenance of behavior despite obstacles) of behavior. Choices A, C, D, and E are not comprehensive enough to fully encompass these aspects of motivation.

Question 9

Nelson is motivated by a strong need for recognition and is continually seeking credit for his contributions to the organization.According to Maslow,Nelson is motivated by which category of needs?

Accepted Answer

The need for recognition and credit for contributions is indicative of a need for esteem, which falls under Maslow's hierarchy of needs.

Question 10

According to Herzberg,_____ is an example of a hygiene factor.

Accepted Answer

Hygiene factors are those that do not motivate employees when present, but can lead to dissatisfaction when absent. Pay is a classic example of a hygiene factor, as employees expect to be paid fairly for their work and lack of adequate pay can cause dissatisfaction, but simply having adequate pay does not necessarily motivate employees.

Question 11

The job characteristic of feedback provides the worker with:

Accepted Answer

The job characteristic of feedback provides the worker with knowledge of actual results, which helps them understand how they are performing and make adjustments as needed. This can lead to increased motivation and a sense of accomplishment. It is not associated with employee growth-need strength, experienced meaningfulness of work, experienced responsibility or demotivation.

Question 12

Which of the following theories emphasize the needs that motivate people?

Accepted Answer

The content theories of motivation focus on identifying the specific internal and external factors that motivate individuals, such as Maslow's hierarchy of needs, Herzberg's two-factor theory, and Alderfer's ERG theory. These theories all emphasize the needs that motivate people.

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a need proposed by Maslow in his hierarchy of needs theory?

Accepted Answer

Compensation needs are not included in Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory. The five needs proposed by Maslow are physiological needs, safety needs, love/belonging needs, esteem needs, and self-actualization needs.

Question 14

Which of the following theories places an emphasis on behavior and its consequences?

Accepted Answer

Reinforcement theory focuses on behavior and its consequences, and suggests that behavior is shaped by its consequences, such as rewards and punishments. The other theories listed do not place as much emphasis on behavior and reinforcement.

Question 15

Frank is primarily driven by a need to establish close social relationships with other people.Alderfer would say he is motivated by:

Accepted Answer

Alderfer's ERG theory proposes that human needs can be categorized into three groups: existence, relatedness, and growth needs. Relatedness needs are focused on establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships, which is Frank's main motivator. Therefore, Frank is motivated by relatedness needs according to Alderfer's theory.

Question 16

Behavioral science research has shown that people typically respond more strongly to a potential gain,such as a financial reward,than to a potential loss,such as a financial penalty.

Accepted Answer

Behavioral science research, particularly findings from prospect theory, suggests that people generally exhibit loss aversion, meaning they respond more strongly to potential losses than to equivalent gains.

Question 17

Sally enjoys her job as a teacher,not because of the pay or benefits,but because she feels good about shaping the minds of tomorrow's leaders.Sally is motivated by:

Accepted Answer

Sally's motivation is based on intrinsic rewards, which come from within a person and include things like personal growth, self-esteem, and a sense of accomplishment. Sally's passion for shaping young minds is a reflection of her desire to make a difference and feel fulfilled in her work, rather than external factors like pay or benefits.

Question 18

A high need for _____ is associated with successful attainment of top levels in the organizational hierarchy,according to McClelland.

Accepted Answer

According to McClelland's theory of needs, individuals with a high need for power and a high need for achievement are more likely to attain top levels in the organizational hierarchy. The need for power drives individuals to take charge, influence others, and make an impact on their environment, while the need for achievement motivates individuals to excel, set challenging goals, and strive for success. These two needs combined can create a powerful drive for upward mobility and success in the workplace.

Question 19

Samuel,a sales associate at an electronics store,learns that his base pay is higher than any other sales associate in the store.He justifies his higher salary to the idea that he must be a top sales associate,generating more revenue than anyone else.This example demonstrates which method for reducing perceived inequity?

Accepted Answer

Changing perceptions involves attempting to change one's own perception of the situation or influencing others to change their perception. In this case, Samuel is justifying his higher salary by perceiving himself as a top sales associate who generates more revenue than anyone else. By changing his perception, he is reducing his perceived inequity.

Question 20

Which term,in goal-setting theory,refers to the need to make goals highly ambitious but achievable?

Accepted Answer

Goal difficulty refers to the need to make goals highly ambitious but achievable.

Quiz 12: Motivating Employees