Question 1

In the context of approaches to modify behavior, which of the following can bring about negative behavioral consequences?
A)Extinction
B)Punishment
C)Reinforcement
D)Mentoring

Accepted Answer

Punishment can lead to negative behavioral consequences as it may cause fear, anxiety, or aggression, and does not necessarily teach the desired behavior.

Question 2

Aisha, a manager at Zappo Inc., rewards her subordinates for their good performances. Which of the following approaches does she most likely use?
A)Positive reinforcement
B)Observational learning
C)Classical conditioning
D)Respondent conditioning

Accepted Answer

Positive reinforcement involves providing a reward or positive outcome after a desired behavior is performed, encouraging the behavior to happen again in the future. In this scenario, Aisha rewards her subordinates for good performances, which aligns with the principles of positive reinforcement.

Question 3

_____ is a strategy to cultivate desirable behavior by either bestowing positive consequences or withholding negative ones.
A)Collaboration
B)Extinction
C)Reinforcement
D)Punishment

Accepted Answer

Reinforcement is a strategy used in behavior management that aims to increase the likelihood of a desired behavior by adding a positive stimulus (positive reinforcement) or removing a negative stimulus (negative reinforcement) following the behavior.

Question 4

In the context of reinforcement theory, _____ are the results that a person finds attractive or pleasurable.
A)theoretical frameworks
B)positive consequences
C)performance appraisals
D)performance assessments

Accepted Answer

Positive consequences are the results that a person finds attractive or pleasurable according to reinforcement theory. These consequences increase the likelihood of the behavior that led to them being repeated.

Question 5

_____ is most effective when used in conjunction with the positive reinforcement of desirable behaviors.
A)Extinction
B)Regressive coping
C)Punishment
D)Contingency

Accepted Answer

Extinction, in the context of behavior modification, involves the removal of rewards following undesirable behaviors, which is most effective when combined with positive reinforcement for desirable behaviors. This combination helps in reducing the unwanted behavior while simultaneously encouraging the desired behavior.

Question 6

Classical conditioning has limited applicability to human behavior in organizations because:
A)humans are more amenable to simple cause-and-effect conditioning.
B)behavioral environments in organizations are usually regulated by single stimulus-response manipulations.
C)the human capacity for decision making can override simple conditioning.
D)the behavioral environments in organizations are very amenable to single stimulus-response manipulations.

Accepted Answer

Classical conditioning is a simple form of learning that involves associating an unconditioned stimulus with a conditioned stimulus to produce a conditioned response. However, in the context of human behavior in organizations, the complexity of human decision-making processes means that individuals are not merely reactive to stimuli. Humans can think, plan, and decide based on a wide range of factors beyond simple stimulus-response associations, making classical conditioning a more limited tool for understanding or predicting human behavior in organizational settings.

Question 7

_____ is the process of modifying behavior by following specific behaviors with positive or negative consequences.
A)Operant conditioning
B)Pavlovian conditioning
C)Classical conditioning
D)Forward conditioning

Accepted Answer

Operant conditioning is the process where behaviors are modified based on the consequences that follow them, which can be either rewards (positive reinforcement) or punishments (negative reinforcement).

Question 8

Which of the following statements is true of reinforcement theory?
A)It holds that punishment and extinction diminish undesirable behavior.
B)It minimizes the need for performance evaluations.
C)It emphasizes collective performance rather than individual performance.
D)It is the best approach to improve the accuracy and validity of performance evaluation.

Accepted Answer

Reinforcement theory suggests that behavior can be shaped by controlling the consequences of that behavior. Punishment and extinction are two methods used to decrease or eliminate undesirable behavior. Punishment involves adding an unpleasant consequence after an undesirable behavior, while extinction involves removing a positive consequence that was previously reinforcing the undesirable behavior.

Question 9

The behaviorist approach to learning assumes that:
A)punishment and extinction enhance desirable behavior.
B)cognitive activities do not alter individuals' behavior.
C)observable behavior is a function of its consequences.
D)behaviors followed by positive consequences are less likely to recur.

Accepted Answer

The behaviorist approach to learning, particularly associated with B.F. Skinner and operant conditioning, posits that behavior is influenced by its consequences. This means that behaviors that are followed by positive consequences are more likely to be repeated, while those followed by negative consequences are less likely to be repeated.

Question 10

_____ is central to the design and administration of organizational reward systems, which are a key factor in attracting and retaining top employees.
A)Equity theory
B)Behaviorist theory
C)Reinforcement theory
D)Goal-setting theory

Accepted Answer

The answer of _____ is central to the design and...

Question 11

Negative reinforcement occurs when managers _____ after an employee demonstrates a desirable behavior.
A)bestow a positive consequence
B)bestow a negative consequence
C)withhold a positive consequence
D)withhold a negative consequence

Accepted Answer

Negative reinforcement involves the removal or avoidance of an unpleasant outcome after the desired behavior is demonstrated, thus encouraging that behavior to occur again in the future. In this context, withholding a negative consequence (such as not giving extra work or removing a disliked task) after an employee shows a desirable behavior is an example of negative reinforcement.

Question 12

Which of the following statements is true of learning?
A)It helps improve customer relations.
B)It helps guide and direct motivated behavior.
C)It leads to increased employee engagement.
D)It minimizes the need for performance evaluations.

Accepted Answer

Learning helps guide and direct motivated behavior by providing individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue their goals effectively.

Question 13

Mike, the CEO of SwifTech, rewards and punishes his employees based on their performance. Which of the following behavior modification approaches does Mike follow?
A)Classical conditioning
B)Observational learning
C)Social learning
D)Operant conditioning

Accepted Answer

Operant conditioning involves modifying behavior through the use of rewards or punishments. Mike's approach of rewarding or punishing employees based on their performance aligns with this behavior modification technique.

Question 14

_____ involves three types of consequences: financial reinforcement, nonfinancial reinforcement, and social reinforcement to shape behavior in a variety of organizations.
A)Organizational citizenship behavior
B)Task-specific self-efficacy
C)Management by exception
D)Organizational behavior modification

Accepted Answer

Organizational behavior modification involves using principles of behavior analysis to change behavior within organizations. This approach typically includes financial reinforcement (e.g., bonuses), nonfinancial reinforcement (e.g., recognition), and social reinforcement (e.g., peer approval) to encourage desired behaviors.

Question 15

Thorndike's law of effect states that:
A)human behavior can be modified by pairing a conditioned stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus.
B)human behaviors cannot be altered through external influences.
C)behaviors followed by negative consequences are less likely to recur.
D)undesirable behavior occurs due to stress from work.

Accepted Answer

Thorndike's law of effect posits that behaviors followed by satisfying consequences are more likely to recur, while those followed by unpleasant consequences are less likely to be repeated.

Question 16

Ali, a manager at Westfort Inc., deducts the pay of his subordinates when they fail to meet targets due to absence from work. Which of the following approaches does Ali use to discourage undesirable behavior?
A)Reinforcement
B)Punishment
C)Extinction
D)Contingency

Accepted Answer

Punishment is used here as Ali deducts pay to discourage the undesirable behavior of not meeting targets due to absence.

Question 17

_____ is the process of modifying behavior by pairing a conditioned stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit an unconditioned response.
A)Operant conditioning
B)Classical conditioning
C)Condition monitoring
D)Instrumental conditioning

Accepted Answer

Classical conditioning involves pairing a previously neutral stimulus (conditioned stimulus) with an unconditioned stimulus to produce an automatic, reflexive response (unconditioned response). This process was famously demonstrated by Ivan Pavlov through his experiments with dogs.

Question 18

_____ is a strategy to weaken a behavior by attaching no consequences to it.
A)Reinforcement
B)Extinction
C)Punishment
D)Collaboration

Accepted Answer

Extinction in behavioral psychology refers to the gradual weakening and eventual disappearance of a conditioned response when it is no longer reinforced. In this context, it means weakening a behavior by not providing any consequences for it, thereby reducing its occurrence over time. Reinforcement and punishment, on the other hand, involve providing consequences to increase or decrease a behavior, respectively. Collaboration is not a behavior modification strategy in this context.

Question 19

_____ are the results that a person finds unattractive or aversive.
A)360-degree feedbacks
B)Negative consequences
C)Reinforcements
D)Deficiencies

Accepted Answer

Negative consequences are the results that a person finds unattractive or aversive, as they typically refer to outcomes that are undesirable and thus motivate individuals to avoid certain behaviors or situations.

Question 20

In the context of reinforcement theory, which of the following is an example of a positive consequence?
A)Promotion at work
B)Transfer to an undesired location
C)Criticism from a supervisor
D)Disciplinary action

Accepted Answer

A promotion at work is considered a positive consequence because it is a desirable outcome that increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated, aligning with the principles of reinforcement theory.

Quiz 6: Learning and Performance Management

In the context of approaches to modify behavior, which of the following can bring about negative behavioral consequences?

Aisha, a manager at Zappo Inc., rewards her subordinates for their good performances. Which of the following approaches does she most likely use?

_____ is a strategy to cultivate desirable behavior by either bestowing positive consequences or withholding negative ones.

In the context of reinforcement theory, _____ are the results that a person finds attractive or pleasurable.

_____ is most effective when used in conjunction with the positive reinforcement of desirable behaviors.

Classical conditioning has limited applicability to human behavior in organizations because:

_____ is the process of modifying behavior by following specific behaviors with positive or negative consequences.

Which of the following statements is true of reinforcement theory?

The behaviorist approach to learning assumes that:

_____ is central to the design and administration of organizational reward systems, which are a key factor in attracting and retaining top employees.

Negative reinforcement occurs when managers _____ after an employee demonstrates a desirable behavior.

Which of the following statements is true of learning?

Mike, the CEO of SwifTech, rewards and punishes his employees based on their performance. Which of the following behavior modification approaches does Mike follow?

_____ involves three types of consequences: financial reinforcement, nonfinancial reinforcement, and social reinforcement to shape behavior in a variety of organizations.

Thorndike's law of effect states that:

Ali, a manager at Westfort Inc., deducts the pay of his subordinates when they fail to meet targets due to absence from work. Which of the following approaches does Ali use to discourage undesirable behavior?

_____ is the process of modifying behavior by pairing a conditioned stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit an unconditioned response.

_____ is a strategy to weaken a behavior by attaching no consequences to it.

_____ are the results that a person finds unattractive or aversive.

In the context of reinforcement theory, which of the following is an example of a positive consequence?