Question 1

In expectancy theory, valence and value mean the same thing.

Accepted Answer

In expectancy theory, "valence" refers to the emotional orientations people hold with respect to outcomes, while "value" refers to the intrinsic worth of those outcomes. They are related but distinct concepts.

Question 2

The size of a monetary bonus would probably be most relevant to the "instrumentality" part of expectancy theory.

Accepted Answer

False

Question 3

By knowing a person's valences and instrumentalities, we have a good idea of how hard he/she will try to do something.

Accepted Answer

False

Question 4

A person's effort will not be high unless his/her valence, instrumentality, and expectancy are all high.

Accepted Answer

According to Vroom's Expectancy Theory, a person's motivation to put in effort is high only if they value the outcome (valence), believe that effort will lead to good performance (expectancy), and think that good performance will lead to desired rewards (instrumentality).

Question 5

Maslow's Need Theory is relevant to understanding peoples' instrumentalities.

Accepted Answer

Maslow's Need Theory primarily focuses on understanding human motivation through a hierarchy of needs, rather than instrumentalities, which relate to the perceived likelihood that performance will be followed by a particular outcome.

Question 6

White males tend to place a higher value on pay than women and minorities do.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that white males tend to place a higher value on pay than women and minorities do. This is likely due to a number of factors, including socialization and cultural norms.

Question 7

In considering possible job changes, women are more likely than men to consider a broad range of factors.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that women tend to consider a wider array of factors than men when contemplating job changes, including work-life balance, company culture, and opportunities for advancement, in addition to salary and job role.

Question 8

In Maslow's model, safety needs are more basic and prepotent than physiological needs.

Accepted Answer

In Maslow's hierarchy of needs, physiological needs (such as food, water, and shelter) are considered the most basic and foundational, making them more prepotent than safety needs (such as personal security, employment, and health).

Question 9

In Maslow's model, self-esteem is considered part of self-actualization.

Accepted Answer

In Maslow's hierarchy of needs, self-esteem is considered a separate level below self-actualization, specifically the fourth level, while self-actualization is the fifth and highest level.

Question 10

Self-actualization needs can never be fully satisfied.

Accepted Answer

Self-actualization represents the ongoing process of realizing personal potential, and since individuals continually evolve and their goals expand, these needs can never be fully satisfied.

Question 11

Maslow's theory has received little empirical support.

Accepted Answer

Although Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a popular and influential theory in psychology, it has received criticism for its lack of empirical support and scientific rigor. Many of its concepts are considered too subjective and difficult to test empirically.

Question 12

Like Maslow, Murray and McClelland believed that the source of needs was genetic.

Accepted Answer

Murray and McClelland, like Maslow, focused on psychological and social factors influencing human needs rather than attributing them solely to genetics. They emphasized the role of environmental and cultural factors in shaping human motivation and behavior.

Question 13

Murray suggested that people could be motivated by more than one need at the same time.

Accepted Answer

Henry Murray proposed a theory of personality that emphasized a psychogenic needs system, suggesting that individuals could indeed be motivated by multiple needs simultaneously.

Question 14

People who are high in nAch prefer situations in which they can take personal responsibility.

Accepted Answer

People high in need for achievement (nAch) prefer situations where they can take personal responsibility for finding solutions to problems, as they are motivated by setting and accomplishing challenging goals through their own effort.

Question 15

"Hedonism" is the idea that people generally act to maximize pleasure.

Accepted Answer

Hedonism is a philosophical theory that proposes pleasure and happiness are the primary or most important intrinsic goods and the aim of human life.

Question 16

In shaping, "getting close counts."

Accepted Answer

In shaping, a method used in behavior modification, "getting close counts" refers to the technique of reinforcing behaviors that are progressively closer to the desired behavior, even if they are not exactly the desired behavior initially.

Question 17

Peer recognition can be a highly significant reward.

Accepted Answer

Peer recognition can boost morale, motivation, and engagement among employees, making it a significant form of reward in the workplace.

Question 18

Self-efficacy predicts how long people will persist at a task.

Accepted Answer

Self-efficacy, or the belief in one's ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish a task, can significantly influence how long individuals will persist at a task. Higher levels of self-efficacy often lead to greater persistence, as individuals are more likely to believe they can overcome challenges and achieve their goals.

Question 19

People with high self-efficacy often persist at a task even when feedback indicates they should change their tactics or lower their self-image.

Accepted Answer

High self-efficacy can sometimes lead individuals to persist in their efforts despite negative feedback, as they have strong belief in their capabilities, which might deter them from adjusting their approach or reassessing their self-image in light of new information.

Question 20

Simply wanting to excel is enough to bring about high levels of effort.

Accepted Answer

Simply wanting to excel does not automatically translate into high levels of effort; motivation, planning, resources, and a conducive environment are also necessary to effectively translate desire into action.

Quiz 5: Work Motivation and Performance