Question 1

Harry was concerned about Karen, of his best employees. She was great at what she did, but she was chronically late for work. To correct this, every time Karen wasn't late for work, he made a point of acknowledging it. Harry was utilizing
A)intermittent reinforcement.
B)negative reinforcement.
C)operant reinforcement.
D)continuous reinforcement.
E)variable reinforcement.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Harry was concerned about Karen, of his...

Question 2

Tina is a weak manager because when she trains people the reinforcement type she uses is
A)positive reinforcement.
B)fixed interval.
C)fixed ratio.
D)punishment.
E)intermittent extinction.

Accepted Answer

Punishment is generally not effective for training as it can create a negative work environment and does not encourage desired behaviors.

Question 3

If a manager uses positive or negative reinforcement when an employee completes a task, the manager is trying to
A)strengthen the behaviour of completing the task.
B)weaken the behaviour of completing the task.
C)strengthen the behaviour of completing the task with positive reinforcement and weaken the behaviour of completing the task with negative reinforcement.
D)weaken the behaviour of completing the task with positive reinforcement and strengthen the behaviour of completing the task with negative reinforcement..
E)intermittently strengthen the behaviour by using positive reinforcement and then negative reinforcement.

Accepted Answer

By using positive or negative reinforcement, the manager is trying to strengthen the behavior of completing the task. Positive reinforcement involves providing a reward or incentive for completing the task, while negative reinforcement involves removing a negative consequence or punishment for completing the task. Both methods aim to increase the likelihood that the behavior will occur again in the future.

Question 4

Reinforcement theory allows managers to vary rewards and punishments based on
A)time intervals and fixed schedules.
B)time intervals and behaviour ratios.
C)intermittent schedules and fixed intervals.
D)continuous reinforcement behaviour intervals.
E)intermittent schedules.

Accepted Answer

Reinforcement theory involves varying rewards and punishments based on time intervals (like fixed or variable intervals) and behavior ratios (like fixed or variable ratios), which are key components of operant conditioning schedules.

Question 5

White recognizes that equity theory will play a large role in how he organizes and develops his new program. Individual employees have a tendency to compare themselves with others and have a series of options available to them if they perceive that some sort of inequity exists. Which of the following is a typical employee response to a perceived inequity?
A)Employees will exert more effort.
B)Employees will tend to keep their outcomes unchanged.
C)Employees will maintain their perceptions of others.
D)Employees will have a tendency to quit their jobs.
E)Employees will embrace the process of goal setting.

Accepted Answer

When employees perceive an inequity in their comparison with others, they may have a tendency to quit their jobs as a way to restore equity. This is because quitting the job is an option to change the balance of inputs and outcomes, which is one of the ways employees respond to a perceived inequity. The other options mentioned, such as exerting more effort or embracing goal setting, are not typical employee responses to perceived inequities.

Question 6

Jason faced an uproar recently after his employees received their annual pay increases. The employees complained that the company didn't follow a fair process in awarding the increases. This is an example of
A)distributive justice.
B)procedural justice.
C)interactional justice.
D)operant justice.
E)equitable justice.

Accepted Answer

The employees' complaints about the company not following a fair process in awarding annual pay increases indicate a violation of procedural justice. Procedural justice is concerned with the fairness of the process used to make decisions, rather than the actual outcome of the decision. In this case, the employees are not disputing the amount of the pay increase itself, but rather the procedural fairness in how the decision was made.

Question 7

Weekly paychecks are an example of what type of schedule of reinforcement?
A)continuous
B)fixed-interval
C)fixed-ratio
D)variable-interval
E)variable-ratio

Accepted Answer

Fixed-interval schedules of reinforcement are those in which a response is reinforced only after a specified amount of time has elapsed. In this case, the specified amount of time is one week, and the reinforcement (the paycheck) is consistent in size and timing.

Question 8

In the long term, White decides that equity theory will provide the best guidance for motivating and providing recognition to the employees. He is also aware that the unions may battle his new initiatives. Equity theory demonstrates that, for most employees, motivation is influenced
A)significantly by goal setting as well as by ability to be productive.
B)by union influence over their welfare.
C)solely by monetary rewards.
D)significantly by relative rewards as well as by absolute rewards.
E)significantly by goal setting as well as by absolute rewards.

Accepted Answer

Equity theory states that motivation is not only influenced by absolute rewards (such as monetary compensation), but also by relative rewards (perceived fairness in comparison to others). Therefore, White's focus on equity theory, which includes providing recognition and addressing fairness concerns, is appropriate. The mention of unions in the question does not change the fact that equity theory is a relevant approach to employee motivation.

Question 9

The premise that people learn how to behave to get something that they want or to avoid something that they don't want is called
A)positive reinforcement.
B)extinction.
C)operant conditioning.
D)continuous reinforcement.
E)intermittent reinforcement.

Accepted Answer

The premise described in the question, that people learn behaviors to obtain or avoid outcomes, is a central concept of operant conditioning, which involves the shaping of behavior through consequences such as rewards and punishments. Positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement are specific types of consequences used in operant conditioning, while extinction refers to the gradual disappearance of a behavior when reinforcement is no longer provided. Continuous reinforcement involves reinforcing a behavior every time it occurs, while intermittent reinforcement involves reinforcing the behavior only some of the time, which is associated with stronger and more persistent behavior. However, neither of these options directly relates to the premise described in the question.

Question 10

ABC Inc. is well known as a company that uses a human relations approach; the company nurtures creativity and self-control in its employees. This company was following
A)Theory X.
B)Theory Z.
C)Theory Y.
D)Theory T.
E)Theory Q.

Accepted Answer

The human relations approach is based on Theory Y, which assumes that employees are motivated and capable of self-direction and self-control, and work best when they are given autonomy and opportunities for creativity.

Question 11

Based on her long experience as a manager, Stella was convinced that people exert higher levels of effort when the goals set out for them are challenging and specific. Stella appears to be an advocate of
A)expectancy theory.
B)equity theory.
C)goal-setting theory.
D)Theory Y.
E)motivation-hygiene theory.

Accepted Answer

Stella's belief that specific and challenging goals lead to higher levels of effort aligns with the principles of goal-setting theory. This theory suggests that setting specific and challenging goals can enhance motivation and lead to better performance outcomes.

Question 12

Roy really disliked his job. He forced himself to go to work each day out of fear of losing his only source of income. Roy was working mainly because of
A)negative reinforcement.
B)operant conditioning.
C)positive reinforcement.
D)intermittent reinforcement.
E)continuous reinforcement.

Accepted Answer

Negative reinforcement occurs when a behavior is strengthened by the removal or avoidance of an unpleasant consequence. In this case, Roy is going to work to avoid the unpleasant consequence of losing his only source of income.

Question 13

Which of the following is a process theory of motivation?
A)equity theory
B)expectancy theory
C)needs theory
D)hygiene theory
E)ERG theory

Accepted Answer

Expectancy theory is a process theory of motivation that explains how people make decisions regarding various behavioral alternatives based on the degree to which they believe that their efforts will lead to a particular outcome. It suggests that employees are motivated when they believe that their efforts will lead to high performance and high performance will lead to desired outcomes or rewards. The other options (A, C, D, E) are content theories which explain what motivates people rather than how motivation occurs.

Question 14

Don was a real "people person" so he was glad when his employer began to emphasize working in teams. Don enjoyed working with others as opposed to by himself. According to Maslow, which need level is motivating Don?
A)esteem
B)safety
C)self-actualization
D)physiological
E)social

Accepted Answer

Don's motivation to work with others indicates that his social needs are being met. Maslow's hierarchy of needs places social needs in the middle of the pyramid, between physiological and esteem needs.

Question 15

When dealing with his employees, Ted sets aside time to find out what kind of rewards each of his employees prefers and strives to offer these in the work environment He is likely following
A)equity theory.
B)goal-setting theory.
C)expectancy theory.
D)EKG theory.
E)hygiene theory.

Accepted Answer

Ted is following expectancy theory, which states that people are motivated by believing that their effort will lead to good performance, which in turn will lead to rewards. By finding out what kind of rewards each employee prefers, Ted is increasing the likelihood that the employees will be motivated to put in effort to achieve good performance.

Question 16

Zeke was a manager who believed that, in general, people disliked work; he believed people had to be forced or threatened with punishment to motivate them to work. Zeke believes in which of the following management theories?
A)Theory Z
B)Theory X
C)Theory Y
D)Theory Q
E)Theory T

Accepted Answer

Zeke's belief that people have to be forced or threatened with punishment to motivate them to work aligns with Theory X, which is based on the assumption that employees inherently dislike work and must be coerced or controlled to perform their jobs effectively.

Question 17

Tonya was confused. In order to motivate Sam, one of her employees, she began to pay him for work that she knew he liked to do and for which he was previously not paid. However, she noticed that his overall level of motivation appeared to decrease. The motivation theory that best explains this change is
A)operant conditioning.
B)distributive justice.
C)cognitive evaluation theory.
D)Maslow theory.
E)Theory X.

Accepted Answer

Cognitive evaluation theory suggests that adding extrinsic rewards (such as payment) to an activity that was previously intrinsically motivating can actually decrease overall motivation if the rewards are perceived as controlling or take away from the individual's sense of autonomy. Sam may feel like he is now only doing the task for the money, rather than because he enjoys it, leading to a decrease in motivation.

Question 18

Robert West appeared to be a manager oriented towards traditional ways of doing things. He was convinced that individuals needed to be monitored carefully with respect to their jobs and the tasks they accomplished. It is likely that Robert
A)was a Theory Y manager.
B)emphasized ERG theory.
C)was a Theory X manager.
D)emphasized goal-setting theory.
E)was a Theory Z manager.

Accepted Answer

Robert West's belief that individuals need to be monitored closely with respect to their jobs and tasks suggests that he was a Theory X manager, which is characterized by a belief that employees are inherently lazy and need to be closely monitored and controlled in order to be productive. Theory Y managers, on the other hand, believe that employees are inherently motivated and self-directed and only need minimal supervision. The other options (ERG theory, goal-setting theory, Theory Z) do not relate to the managerial style described.

Question 19

Kelly, a single mother, recently re-entered the workforce in order to be able to pay for her most basic needs, namely food shelter and clothing for her and her son. According to Maslow, which need level was she trying to fulfill?
A)self-actualization
B)esteem
C)safety
D)social
E)physiological

Accepted Answer

Maslow's hierarchy of needs starts with the most basic physiological needs like food, shelter, and clothing. Therefore, Kelly's main goal in re-entering the workforce was to fulfill her physiological needs.

Question 20

When Brock was recently deciding between two job offers, his decision came down to which offer reflected the better health insurance, pension plan, and safe working conditions. According to Maslow, which need level is he focusing on in his decision?
A)esteem
B)physiological
C)safety
D)social
E)self-actualization

Accepted Answer

Brock's focus on health insurance, pension plan, and safe working conditions all relate to his need for safety and security, which corresponds to Maslow's second need level.

Quiz 4: Theories of Motivation

Harry was concerned about Karen, of his best employees. She was great at what she did, but she was chronically late for work. To correct this, every time Karen wasn't late for work, he made a point of acknowledging it. Harry was utilizing

Tina is a weak manager because when she trains people the reinforcement type she uses is

If a manager uses positive or negative reinforcement when an employee completes a task, the manager is trying to

Reinforcement theory allows managers to vary rewards and punishments based on

Jason faced an uproar recently after his employees received their annual pay increases. The employees complained that the company didn't follow a fair process in awarding the increases. This is an example of

Weekly paychecks are an example of what type of schedule of reinforcement?

In the long term, White decides that equity theory will provide the best guidance for motivating and providing recognition to the employees. He is also aware that the unions may battle his new initiatives. Equity theory demonstrates that, for most employees, motivation is influenced

The premise that people learn how to behave to get something that they want or to avoid something that they don't want is called

ABC Inc. is well known as a company that uses a human relations approach; the company nurtures creativity and self-control in its employees. This company was following

Based on her long experience as a manager, Stella was convinced that people exert higher levels of effort when the goals set out for them are challenging and specific. Stella appears to be an advocate of

Roy really disliked his job. He forced himself to go to work each day out of fear of losing his only source of income. Roy was working mainly because of

Which of the following is a process theory of motivation?

Don was a real "people person" so he was glad when his employer began to emphasize working in teams. Don enjoyed working with others as opposed to by himself. According to Maslow, which need level is motivating Don?

When dealing with his employees, Ted sets aside time to find out what kind of rewards each of his employees prefers and strives to offer these in the work environment He is likely following

Zeke was a manager who believed that, in general, people disliked work; he believed people had to be forced or threatened with punishment to motivate them to work. Zeke believes in which of the following management theories?

Robert West appeared to be a manager oriented towards traditional ways of doing things. He was convinced that individuals needed to be monitored carefully with respect to their jobs and the tasks they accomplished. It is likely that Robert

Kelly, a single mother, recently re-entered the workforce in order to be able to pay for her most basic needs, namely food shelter and clothing for her and her son. According to Maslow, which need level was she trying to fulfill?

When Brock was recently deciding between two job offers, his decision came down to which offer reflected the better health insurance, pension plan, and safe working conditions. According to Maslow, which need level is he focusing on in his decision?