Question 1

In reinforcement theory,extinction refers to a strategy of responding to undesirable behaviour by using extremely unpleasant negative reinforcements,such as some form of harsh punishment.

Accepted Answer

In reinforcement theory, extinction refers to a strategy of responding to undesirable behavior by removing positive reinforcements that previously maintained the behavior, with the goal of reducing or eliminating that behavior. It does not involve the use of negative reinforcements or punishment.

Question 2

According to reinforcement theory,individuals act to receive rewards and to avoid punishment.

Accepted Answer

Reinforcement theory proposes that individuals are motivated to perform certain behaviors in order to receive rewards or positive consequences, and to avoid punishment or negative consequences.

Question 3

To implement self-managed teams,managers must reinvent work.

Accepted Answer

Self-managed teams require a shift in power and decision-making from managers to the team members themselves, which necessitates a reinvention of how work is organized and carried out.

Question 4

Reinforcement theory suggests that workers respond to carrots (rewards)but not to sticks (punishment).

Accepted Answer

Reinforcement theory suggests that both rewards and punishments can be effective in shaping behavior, but rewards are generally more effective than punishments.

Question 5

The trend in many businesses is toward a Theory Y approach to management.

Accepted Answer

The trend in many businesses is indeed toward a Theory Y approach to management, which emphasizes the importance of employee motivation, creativity, and empowerment in achieving organizational goals. This stands in contrast to the traditional Theory X approach, which views employees as inherently lazy and in need of strict control and supervision to get the job done.

Question 6

According to the theory developed by Maslow,the primary source of motivation for most workers in Canada would stem from the desire to satisfy their physiological and safety needs.

Accepted Answer

Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory suggests that once physiological and safety needs are met, individuals seek to fulfill higher level needs such as social, esteem, and self-actualization needs. Therefore, the primary source of motivation for most workers in Canada may stem from fulfilling these higher level needs, rather than just physiological and safety needs.

Question 7

Gen Z is a large group.

Accepted Answer

Gen Z is estimated to include around 74 million individuals in the United States alone, making it the largest generation.

Question 8

Theory Y assumes that the main factor that motivates most workers is the desire to earn more money.

Accepted Answer

Theory Y assumes that workers are motivated by factors such as job satisfaction, personal fulfillment, and a sense of purpose, rather than just money.

Question 9

Hal is a small business owner who wants to find a way to increase the productivity of his employees.He has just finished reading a book on worker motivation,and found the book's discussion of the Hawthorne studies particularly relevant.Based on his reading,Hal is likely to view pay increases as the best way to improve employee motivation.

Accepted Answer

The Hawthorne studies found that factors other than pay increases, such as social dynamics and management attention, led to increased productivity and worker motivation. Hal may have missed this point in his reading and therefore mistakenly believes that pay increases are the best solution.

Question 10

A manager who operates under Theory X assumptions would have a hard time accepting the ideas of goal-setting theory.

Accepted Answer

Theory X managers believe that employees are inherently lazy and need to be closely supervised and controlled. Goal-setting theory, on the other hand, emphasizes the importance of giving employees autonomy and allowing them to set their own goals. Therefore, a manager who operates under Theory X assumptions may find it difficult to accept the ideas of goal-setting theory.

Question 11

Ellen supervises several workers in the accounting department of a large corporation.She has decided to make a greater effort to give her subordinates direct and clear information about their job performance.Ellen's efforts are likely to improve worker motivation.

Accepted Answer

Providing direct and clear information about job performance can help employees understand expectations and feel more engaged in their work, thus improving motivation.

Question 12

According to goal-setting theory,the responsibility for establishing an organization's goals lies solely in the hands of top management.

Accepted Answer

According to goal-setting theory, goal-setting should involve participation from all levels of the organization, and not just top management.

Question 13

Ruth is sorry she ever hired Helen.Helen's work is sloppy and often late.Moreover,she doesn't get along well with most of the other employees and frequently initiates arguments.According to reinforcement theory,the most effective way for Ruth to deal with Helen's behaviour is to wait for Helen to do something good,and then praise and reward her for the result.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Ruth is sorry she ever hired Helen.Helen's...

Question 14

Skill variety is one of the characteristics of work that leads to improved motivation and performance.

Accepted Answer

Skill variety refers to the degree to which a job requires a variety of different skills and abilities to perform tasks. Having more skill variety in a job can increase motivation and performance because it allows for a greater sense of challenge and personal growth.

Question 15

Theory X-type managers try to motivate workers by giving them a great deal of freedom and responsibility.

Accepted Answer

Theory X-type managers believe that workers need to be closely supervised and controlled in order to be productive, so they do not typically give workers a great deal of freedom and responsibility.

Question 16

The results of the Hawthorne studies encouraged researchers to begin studying human motivation and managerial styles that lead to higher productivity.

Accepted Answer

The statement is true. The Hawthorne studies, conducted in the 1920s and 1930s, found that various factors such as lighting, rest periods, and a sense of belonging within a group can affect worker productivity. This led to further research on human motivation and the role of management in creating a productive work environment.

Question 17

Mark has just successfully completed a very challenging assignment given to him by his supervisor at work.The feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction Mark experiences as the result of his success is an example of an extrinsic reward.

Accepted Answer

The feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction that Mark experiences is an example of an intrinsic reward, as it comes from within Mark himself rather than from external factors such as praise or a promotion.

Question 18

Empowerment doesn't work well when people volunteer to share their knowledge with their colleagues.

Accepted Answer

Empowerment can work well when people volunteer to share their knowledge with their colleagues. By sharing knowledge and expertise, individuals can enable others to take ownership of their work and improve overall productivity and performance.

Question 19

Lisa is a Gen Xer who has just been promoted to a management position.If she is like many of her generation,one of Lisa's biggest problems is likely to be her inflexibility and difficulty at working collaboratively with other employees.

Accepted Answer

This statement is a stereotypical assumption about Gen Xers and is not necessarily true for all individuals in this generation. It's important to avoid making broad generalizations about any generation or group of people.

Question 20

Herzberg's research examined how conditions related to the job itself affected the motivation of workers.

Accepted Answer

Herzberg's research focused on the factors that influenced job motivation, specifically on conditions related to the job itself such as task variety, autonomy, and responsibility.

Quiz 11: Motivating Employees