Question 1

A key idea in reinforcement theory is that:

Accepted Answer

Reinforcement theory emphasizes that managers can use rewards and punishment to influence employee behavior. This involves identifying desirable behavior and providing positive reinforcement (like rewards or recognition) to encourage that behavior or negative reinforcement (like punishment or reprimands) to discourage undesired behavior. This approach recognizes that different employees may respond differently to different reinforcement techniques, so it's important for managers to tailor their approach to individual employees.

Question 2

As a manager,Charlene works hard to ensure that workers are treated fairly,yet she still gets feedback that indicates that some workers don't believe she is fair.This problem is most likely a result from the fact that:

Accepted Answer

Equity judgments are based on perceptions, and perceptions may not always be accurate. Even if Charlene is treating workers fairly, some workers may still perceive unfairness based on their individual perspectives and biases. It's important for Charlene to address these perceptions and work on open communication with her employees to clarify any misunderstandings and gain a better understanding of their concerns.

Question 3

According to equity theory,which of the following statements is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

Equity theory suggests that workers' perceptions of fairness, including the distribution of rewards, will affect their level of motivation. This theory emphasizes the importance of treating workers fairly and providing them with equitable rewards based on their contributions to the organization. Option A is not accurate as offering everyone the same reward may not consider individual performance, contributing to perceptions of unfairness. Option C is not accurate as workers may over- or underestimate their contributions to the firm. Option D is not accurate as workers in Canada may also compare their efforts and rewards to those of coworkers, which may affect their motivation.

Question 4

Which of the following would be most closely tied to the idea that employee motivation requires that the rewards for completing a task are sufficient to justify the effort?

Accepted Answer

Expectancy theory suggests that employee motivation is based on the belief that their effort will result in the desired performance, and that the performance will be rewarded in a way that is worthwhile to them. Therefore, the rewards must be sufficient to justify the effort put in by the employee. Theory Z is related to employee involvement and teamwork, Theory X assumes that employees are lazy and need to be coerced or threatened to work, and Equity theory focuses on the perception of fairness of rewards compared to other employees.

Question 5

Which of the following statements about open communications is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

Open communication requires a change in organizational structure and procedures, which can be challenging. Self-managed teams still require open communication, but it may not be as apparent. Simply stepping out of the way may not always lead to open communication, as it may need to be fostered and encouraged by management. Open communication can actually lead to more flexibility and responsiveness to changing business conditions.

Question 6

Perhaps the best way to deal with problems that arise when workers develop erroneous perceptions about their contributions to the firm is to:

Accepted Answer

Maintaining clear and frequent communication between management and employees can help clarify their roles and contributions to the firm, reducing the likelihood of erroneous perceptions. This will help employees feel valued and motivated to contribute to the organization's success. A Theory X approach would only exacerbate the problem by further disengaging employees, while building a compensation system based solely on objective criteria such as seniority would not address the root cause of the problem. Keeping the responsibilities and compensation of workers secret would also not be an effective solution and could even create mistrust and resentment among employees.

Question 7

Paul Blocker is the offensive line coach for the Lisolini College Fighting Hamsters.He wants his players to report to fall practice in good shape.Coach Blocker has set challenging fitness standards that the linemen will be able to meet if they work hard during the summer.He knows his players hate running wind sprints,so to encourage them to work out during the summer he has announced that any player who passes the fitness test at the beginning of fall practice will be allowed to skip sprints for the first two weeks of practice.Coach Blocker's approach to motivation is consistent with:

Accepted Answer

Coach Blocker's approach to motivation is consistent with expectancy theory, which suggests that individuals are motivated by the belief that their effort will lead to good performance and good performance will lead to rewards. In this case, Coach Blocker is offering a reward (skipping sprints) for meeting a challenging fitness standard, which is likely to motivate his players to work hard during the summer to meet that standard.

Question 8

Lynn is in charge of a nursing shift at a hospital.She wants to improve the motivation and performance level of the nurses under her direction.According to expectancy theory,one element of an effective motivational strategy is to:

Accepted Answer

According to expectancy theory, motivation is influenced by the belief that increased effort will lead to better performance, which in turn will lead to receiving rewards that are valued. Therefore, determining what types of rewards are valued by the nurses is an important element of an effective motivational strategy. Simplifying the job may not necessarily increase motivation and performance, setting unrealistic performance standards can lead to decreased motivation, and rotating nurses to perform different jobs each day may not necessarily address the issue of motivation and may even lead to confusion and inefficiency.

Question 9

Joshua is habitually late with many reports.His manager withholds praise or recognition.This type of reinforcement is known as:

Accepted Answer

Extinction involves the removal of positive reinforcement, such as praise or recognition, to decrease the likelihood of a behavior recurring.

Question 10

Matt works for a sports marketing firm.He feels that he has been treated unfairly by the organization.He helped three other employees organize a series of successful street hockey tournaments in different regions of the country.While the other employees were given a bonus and corporate recognition,his efforts were ignored.According to equity theory,Matt is likely to respond by:

Accepted Answer

According to equity theory, when an individual perceives an inequity in their treatment compared to others, they are likely to reduce their efforts on future projects as a way to restore a sense of fairness. This is because they believe that their contributions are not being valued equally and therefore may feel demotivated to put in the same level of effort as before. Therefore, the most likely response for Matt in this situation is to reduce his efforts on future projects.

Question 11

Expectancy theory suggests that managers attempting to improve employee performance would be well advised to:

Accepted Answer

Expectancy theory proposes that employees will be motivated to exert effort and perform well if they believe that effort will lead to good performance, good performance will lead to rewards, and the rewards are valuable to them. In order to set achievable goals, managers should communicate clear and specific expectations to employees, provide necessary training and resources, and offer regular feedback and recognition. Overly challenging goals can lead to discouragement and burnout, while goals that are too easy can make employees complacent and disengaged. Therefore, setting realistic and attainable performance goals can enhance employees' motivation and confidence, and ultimately improve their performance.

Question 12

A problem with equity judgments is that workers often ________ their own contributions to the success of a business.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that individuals tend to overestimate their own contributions to a group or organization's success, which can make it difficult to make fair equity judgments.

Question 13

Equity judgments are based on:

Accepted Answer

Equity judgments are subjective and cannot be based solely on quantitative data or statistical analysis. They are often influenced by people's perception of fairness and their own values and beliefs. Deductive reasoning may be used to support an equity judgment, but it is not the sole basis for it.

Question 14

Which of the following is the best example of extinction as the term is used in reinforcement theory?

Accepted Answer

Extinction in reinforcement theory refers to the gradual disappearance of a behavior when it is no longer reinforced. Choice D best exemplifies this as the manager decides not to take any action against the employee's undesirable behavior, thus removing any reinforcement for the behavior, which may lead to the behavior decreasing or stopping over time. Choices A, B, and C do not fit the definition of extinction as they involve different forms of reinforcement or punishment.

Question 15

Two things shared by many companies with highly motivated workforces are:

Accepted Answer

Companies with highly motivated workforces tend to have open communications systems, which allow for frequent feedback and collaboration between employees and management. Self-managed teams also promote a sense of autonomy and responsibility, which can lead to increased motivation among employees. Theory X management styles and centralized decision-making are associated with a more authoritarian approach to management, which can lead to lower employee motivation. High wage rates and clear distinctions between managers and workers may also contribute to a motivated workforce, but they are not necessarily shared by all companies with highly motivated employees.

Question 16

Which of the following problems would indicate that managers had not applied the basic concepts of expectancy theory?

Accepted Answer

Expectancy theory states that individuals will increase their effort if they believe that it will lead to improved performance, and that improved performance will lead to rewards that they value. If workers are unwilling to work toward achieving an important goal because they believe the reward they will receive is not sufficient to justify the effort, it suggests that managers have not applied the basic concepts of expectancy theory.

Question 17

Inequity in the workplace is likely to result in:

Accepted Answer

Inequity in the workplace can lead to feelings of resentment and unfairness among workers, which in turn can negatively affect their motivation and productivity. If employees feel they are being unfairly compensated or not receiving the same opportunities as their peers, it can lead to reduced quality of work and overall lower productivity.

Question 18

The first step toward establishing open communication within an organization is to:

Accepted Answer

Creating an organizational culture that rewards listening is the best choice as it promotes open communication by encouraging employees to actively engage in listening to one another. This creates an environment where employees can express their opinions and ideas without fear of being ignored or punished. Suggestion boxes (option C) can be an additional tool, but they are not enough to establish open communication on their own. Option A, creating a clear chain of command, can hinder open communication as it can limit communication to only those in positions of authority. Similarly, setting up a computer network (option B) does not address the issue of creating a culture that rewards listening.

Question 19

Kathleen is the new operations manager of a national stock brokerage firm.She recently attended a conference on the use of expectancy theory to motivate employees.In order to incorporate what she has learned,the first thing Kathleen must do is:

Accepted Answer

The first step in incorporating expectancy theory to motivate employees is for Kathleen to determine what rewards are valued by her employees. She cannot effectively motivate her employees without knowing what they consider valuable. The other options may come into play later in the process, but determining employee values should be the first step.

Question 20

Working conditions recently have changed at the Bariol Corporation.Managers and employees now answer their own phones,and even top managers are addressed by their first name.The company even eliminated executive washrooms and parking spaces.Bariol implemented all of these changes in an effort to help workers motivate themselves by creating a team spirit within the company.Bariol's efforts are consistent with an attempt to:

Accepted Answer

Bariol Corporation's changes such as answering their own phones, addressing top managers by their first names, and eliminating executive washrooms and parking spaces are geared towards improving motivation through open communication and creating a team spirit within the company. This suggests that the answer is A.

Quiz 11: Motivating Employees