Question 1

Vivian works hard and puts in many extra hours.For this,she can anticipate a pay raise,a promotion,or an expanded sales territory.However,getting a promotion is most important to Vivian.According to the useful guidelines of the ____ theory,Thomas,her manager,must recognize that (1)she is putting in hard work and long hours to obtain a promotion,(2)what motivates Vivian will change over time,and (3)he must clearly show Vivian how to attain the desirable reward.

Accepted Answer

The description of Vivian's situation aligns with the principles of the expectancy theory, which states that an individual's effort is motivated by their belief that their hard work will lead to a desired outcome, and that the outcome must be desirable and achievable. Thomas, her manager, must recognize that Vivian is putting in hard work to obtain a promotion, that what motivates her may change over time, and that he must clearly show her how to attain the desired reward (in this case, a promotion). Therefore, the best choice is B, expectancy theory. The other options, motivation-hygiene, equity, reinforcement, and hierarchy of needs, do not fully capture the specific aspects of Vivian's situation as described in the scenario.

Question 2

The equity theory states that people are motivated

Accepted Answer

According to the equity theory, people are motivated by receiving a reward that is commensurate with their performance. This means that employees expect to be compensated fairly in relation to their contributions and achievements in the organization. A lack of equity can lead to demotivation, while equity can increase motivation and job satisfaction.

Question 3

A manager who believes that employee motivation depends on how much we want something and on how likely we think we are to get it is using

Accepted Answer

The statement describes Vroom's expectancy theory, which proposes that motivation is influenced by three factors: expectancy (belief that effort will lead to performance), instrumentality (belief that performance will lead to a certain outcome), and valence (value placed on the expected outcome). The manager in the statement is specifically referring to valence, or the importance placed on the outcome and the likelihood of achieving it.

Question 4

Teresa worked hard and successfully as a salesperson for B&J Realty Company.For the past three years,she surpassed her peers in quality and quantity of sales.Yet in comparing pay,she discovered that she makes less than two salespeople who are well liked by management.Consequently,she accepted a higher-paying job with B&J's top competitor.To avoid losing other salespeople like Teresa,management should understand and apply

Accepted Answer

The equity theory suggests that employees compare their inputs (such as effort, skills, and experience) and outcomes (such as pay and benefits) to those of others in the organization, and if they perceive an inequity, it leads to dissatisfaction and may result in turnover. In this case, Teresa perceived an inequity in her pay compared to her peers who were well-liked by management, despite her superior performance. To avoid losing other salespeople like Teresa, management should understand and apply the equity theory, ensuring that employees perceive their pay and benefits as fair and equitable compared to their colleagues with similar qualifications and performance.

Question 5

MBO stands for

Accepted Answer

MBO stands for Management by Objectives. It is a management approach where managers and employees work together to define goals that are achievable, measurable, and aligned with the overall strategy of the organization. The approach requires clear statements of objectives, followed by regular feedback and review sessions to track progress towards the objectives.

Question 6

Which of the following forms of reinforcement is considered the most effective?

Accepted Answer

Positive reinforcement has been shown to be the most effective form of reinforcement in shaping behavior. It involves providing a desired reward or consequence to increase the likelihood of the behavior being repeated in the future. Continual, repetitive reinforcement may lead to habituation, and negative reinforcement and disciplinary reinforcement may have negative side effects. Extinction involves the withholding of reinforcement, which can be effective in reducing undesired behaviors but may not be the most effective for promoting desired behaviors.

Question 7

What is the main weakness of Maslow's hierarchy of needs and Herzberg's motivation-hygiene theory?

Accepted Answer

The main weakness of both Maslow's hierarchy of needs and Herzberg's motivation-hygiene theory is that they do not explain why or how motivation is developed and sustained. Both theories simply identify factors that contribute to motivation or demotivation, but do not offer any guidance on how to create and maintain motivation in individuals or teams. This limits their practical value to managers who are seeking actionable strategies for motivating their employees.

Question 8

Managers who rely on ____ as a form of negative reinforcement will ignore an undesired behavior in the hope that it will go away.

Accepted Answer

The term "extinction" refers to the process of removing reinforcement in order to reduce or eliminate a behavior. When a manager ignores an undesired behavior in the hope that it will go away, they are essentially using extinction as a form of negative reinforcement. They are removing attention or rewards for the behavior in order to decrease its occurrence.

Question 9

All of the following are accurate statements about the expectancy theory except that

Accepted Answer

The statement "it is easy to apply" is not accurate. The expectancy theory is a complex model of motivation that involves multiple variables and requires careful analysis and understanding of individual employees' goals and expectations.

Question 10

The theory that people are motivated first to achieve and then to receive rewards in proportion to their contribution is called

Accepted Answer

The theory that people are motivated to receive rewards in proportion to their contribution is called equity theory. This theory suggests that individuals strive to achieve fairness and balance in their relationships with others in terms of the effort they put in and the rewards they receive. Equity theory asserts that individuals seek to achieve a state of equity or fairness both in the distribution of rewards and in the effort they put in to achieve them. Therefore, the best choice is E, equity.

Question 11

Under the equity theory,when a worker feels under-rewarded,he or she may take all of the following actions except

Accepted Answer

According to the equity theory, when a worker feels under-rewarded, they may take any of the following actions - A) reduce input by working less, C) ask for a raise, D) leave the work situation, or E) do a new comparison to verify the other one. Forgetting about it is not a typical response as it does not address the perceived inequity in the situation.

Question 12

The technique in which managers and subordinates collaborate on setting goals and reviewing performance is

Accepted Answer

The technique described in the question is management by objectives (MBO), which involves setting specific and measurable goals collaboratively with subordinates, and then evaluating performance based on progress towards those goals. This approach is designed to improve motivation, clarity of expectations, and alignment of individual goals with organizational objectives. Therefore, choice D - management by objectives - is the correct answer.

Question 13

Josh's boss demoted him when he did not meet his sales goal for the month.This action indicates the use of

Accepted Answer

Demotion is a form of punishment which involves the removal of a title, position, or status as a consequence of a failure to meet certain expectations or goals.

Question 14

The director of personnel at Eastern corporate headquarters wants to institute an MBO system nationwide.She should begin by

Accepted Answer

To successfully institute an MBO system nationwide, the director of personnel should begin by ensuring that top management endorses and participates in the process. Without top-down support, the success of the MBO system is unlikely.

Question 15

In 1977,two years after graduating from Yale Law School,Mr.Williams founded the firm Williams Legal Services with two other lawyers.By 2003,the company had expanded to 200 offices in twenty-two states.With growth,the company has found it easy to recruit staffers;however,it has faced other problems,most noticeably dissatisfaction among staff lawyers.Recently staffers in seven Minneapolis regional offices revolted,writing a memo protesting the firm's emphasis on generating fees at the expense of quality legal work.Mr.Williams fired the dissenters.His action toward the dissenters indicates the use of

Accepted Answer

Mr. Williams' action of firing the dissenters is an example of punishment, as he is using a negative consequence (losing their jobs) to decrease the likelihood of the behavior (protesting the firm's emphasis on generating fees at the expense of quality legal work) happening again in the future.

Question 16

Offering employees flexible work schedules,which allows them more time with family and friends,would satisfy which of the needs from Maslow's hierarchy?

Accepted Answer

Providing flexible work schedules satisfies social needs from Maslow's hierarchy, as employees have more time to spend with family and friends, which contributes to their sense of belongingness and social connection. Safety needs relate to job security and physical safety, esteem needs relate to recognition and respect, physiological needs relate to basic needs such as food and shelter, and self-actualization needs relate to personal growth and fulfillment, which are not directly addressed by offering flexible work schedules.

Question 17

Every year,Melanie and her boss sit down together and discuss what Melanie should accomplish for the next year.Melanie's boss takes time to meet with all his employees like this to motivate them to accomplish their objectives.These actions rely on

Accepted Answer

Melanie's boss sitting down with her to discuss what she should accomplish for the next year is a clear example of goal-setting theory, which emphasizes the importance of setting specific and challenging goals to increase motivation and performance. This approach is commonly used by managers to help employees focus their efforts and achieve better results.

Question 18

Victor Vroom's expectancy theory is based on the very simple assumption that

Accepted Answer

Victor Vroom's expectancy theory proposes that an individual's motivation to achieve a goal is based on two factors: how much they desire the goal (valence) and how likely they are to achieve it (expectancy). Therefore, option E reflects the best choice as it aligns with Vroom's theory.

Question 19

If you were a manager who made sure that rewards were distributed to your employees fairly based on their performance and that each employee clearly understood the basis for his or her own pay,you would be using

Accepted Answer

The scenario describes the use of equity theory, which emphasizes the importance of fairness in reward distribution and employees' perception that their pay is based on their performance.

Question 20

The expectancy theory says that people are motivated

Accepted Answer

The expectancy theory states that individuals are motivated by how much they desire something and the likelihood of obtaining it. This means that employees are motivated by rewards that they value and believe they can achieve through their performance, such as higher pay, opportunities for advancement, or job recognition. The theory does not suggest that employees are solely motivated by their achievements, pay equal to others, or job satisfaction alone.

Quiz 10: Motivating and Satisfying Employees