Question 1

What are the two basic issues in using behavior modification?

Accepted Answer

The two basic issues in using behavior modification are the type of reinforcement and the schedule of reinforcement. The type of reinforcement refers to the specific reward or consequence given to encourage or discourage behavior, while the schedule of reinforcement refers to the timing and frequency of the reinforcement. Both of these factors are crucial in creating effective behavior modification strategies.

Question 2

According to Victor Vroom,_________ is the perceived value of a given reward or outcome.

Accepted Answer

Victor Vroom's expectancy theory proposes that motivation is based on three factors: expectancy, instrumentality, and valence. Valence refers to the degree of attractiveness or desirability of a particular outcome or reward. It is the perceived value that an individual attaches to the outcome of their behavior. Therefore, option A is the correct answer.

Question 3

Removal of current or future unpleasant consequences to increase the likelihood that someone will repeat a behavior is called _____________.

Accepted Answer

Negative reinforcement involves removing or avoiding an unpleasant consequence to increase the likelihood of repeating a behavior. Positive reinforcement involves providing a pleasant consequence, punishment involves providing an unpleasant consequence, and extinction involves ignoring or removing reinforcement to decrease the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.

Question 4

How can we increase our own self-efficacy?

Accepted Answer

Practicing more can help us master a skill and increase our self-efficacy through the feedback we receive. Seeking out a coach can provide us with personalized guidance, constructive criticism and support, which can also help us increase self-efficacy. Watching others perform the task successfully can provide us with a model to emulate, which can be inspiring and motivating, thereby increasing our self-efficacy. Therefore, all of these options can be effective strategies for increasing our self-efficacy.

Question 5

A performance bonus is an example of _____________.

Accepted Answer

A performance bonus is an example of positive reinforcement, as it is an added incentive for an employee to continue to perform well and increase the likelihood of repeating that behavior. Positive reinforcement involves adding a desirable consequence in response to a desired behavior, with the intention of increasing the probability of that behavior being repeated.

Question 6

The law of _____________ says that the most recent consequence of a behavior is likely to govern the recurrence of that behavior.

Accepted Answer

The term "recency" directly relates to the idea of the most recent consequence driving behavior, as stated in the question. The other choices are not directly related to this concept.

Question 7

What psychologist's work laid the foundation for the study of behavior modification?

Accepted Answer

B. F. Skinner is considered the founder and main proponent of behavior modification, which emphasizes the role of environmental factors in shaping and controlling behavior. Skinner's work on operant conditioning provided the scientific basis for behavior modification techniques.

Question 8

The law of ____________ says that repetition strengthens the association between cause and effect.

Accepted Answer

The law of exercise, part of the principles of learning, states that the more a stimulus and response are connected or practiced together, the stronger the association between them becomes. This principle is often applied in educational and psychological contexts to enhance learning and behavior modification.

Question 9

Reinforcement theory is based on the work of what psychologist?

Accepted Answer

Reinforcement theory is based on the work of Edward Thorndike, who is well-known for his work on the law of effect and the puzzle box experiments with cats. He believed that behavior is strengthened when it is followed by a positive consequence, such as a reward, and weakened when followed by a negative consequence or punishment.

Question 10

Cutting the work hours of low performing employees is an example of __________.

Accepted Answer

Cutting work hours can be seen as a form of punishment, as it is a negative consequence for low performance. Positive reinforcement would involve providing a reward for good performance, while negative reinforcement would involve removing a negative consequence (such as reducing workload for high performers). Extinction would involve ignoring or withholding reinforcement for a behavior, with the goal of eliminating it.

Question 11

In most cases,a person will expend more effort when there is a ___________ expectancy of success.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In most cases,a person will expend more...

Question 12

What type of reinforcement is most appropriate when an employee perceives something as undesirable and the manager wants to increase the prevalence of certain types of behaviors?

Accepted Answer

Negative reinforcement involves the removal of an undesirable outcome or stimulus following a desired behavior, which in turn increases the likelihood of the behavior being repeated. In this scenario, if an employee perceives something as undesirable and the manager wants to increase certain behaviors, removing or avoiding that undesirable element when the employee exhibits the desired behavior acts as negative reinforcement.

Question 13

Which dimension of self-efficacy refers to beliefs about the degree to which similar tasks can be accomplished?

Accepted Answer

Generality refers to the beliefs about the degree to which similar tasks can be accomplished, whereas specificity refers to beliefs about the degree to which a particular task can be accomplished. Magnitude refers to the perceived difficulty or complexity of a task, and strength refers to the level of confidence in one's ability to complete a task.

Question 14

When a manufacturing employee wears safety gear,the manager gives the employee praise to increase the likelihood that the employee will wear the safety equipment in the future.What type of reinforcement is being used in this example?

Accepted Answer

Positive reinforcement involves adding something pleasant or desirable to increase the likelihood of a behavior being repeated in the future. In this case, the manager is adding praise as a pleasant stimulus to increase the likelihood of the employee wearing safety gear in the future.

Question 15

A relatively permanent change in behavior that occurs because of experience is called ___________.

Accepted Answer

Learning is the relatively permanent change in behavior that occurs because of experience. Training is a form of teaching or instructing, growth is an increase in physical size or development, and intelligence is the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills.

Question 16

Which type of reinforcer is most appropriate when a manager realizes he or she has been rewarding the wrong thing and wants to stop the behavior?

Accepted Answer

Extinction is the most appropriate choice in this situation because the manager wants to stop the behavior that he or she has been unintentionally rewarding. Extinction involves removing the reinforcer (which in this case is the reward) that was previously maintaining the behavior. This should eventually cause the behavior to decrease and eventually stop altogether. Positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, and punishment all involve providing consequences that could potentially maintain the behavior rather than decrease it.

Question 17

According to Victor Vroom,_______________ is the belief that performance will result in obtaining a particular reward.

Accepted Answer

According to Victor Vroom's expectancy theory, instrumentality is the belief that a person will receive a reward if the performance expectation is met. This concept is part of his theory which explains the process of motivation through the relationships of expectancy, instrumentality, and valence.

Question 18

The law of ___________ says that people tend not to engage in behavior that does not result in a reward.

Accepted Answer

The law of effect, proposed by B.F. Skinner, states that behavior that results in a positive consequence (reward) is more likely to be repeated, while behavior that results in a negative consequence (punishment) is less likely to be repeated. Therefore, choice A is the correct answer as it accurately describes this law.

Question 19

No longer laughing at a coworker's inappropriate jokes so that he will stop telling them is an example of ____________.

Accepted Answer

Extinction is the gradual fading out of a behavior that occurs when that behavior is no longer reinforced. In this scenario, the coworker's inappropriate jokes are no longer being reinforced by your laughter, resulting in the gradual fading out of the behavior.

Question 20

How can managers improve fairness perceptions?

Accepted Answer

Managers can improve fairness perceptions by either changing the fairness of the situation (e.g. ensuring equal treatment, providing clear and consistent communication, etc.) or by changing how employees perceive the fairness of the situation (e.g. providing opportunities for employees to give feedback, being transparent about decision-making processes, etc.). Both options are equally important and can help to create a more positive work environment.

Quiz 7: Motivating Behavior