Question 1

__________ is the application of motivational theories to the structure of work for improving productivity and satisfaction.
A) Job design
B) Job enlargement
C) Job simplification
D) Job characteristics
E) Job enrichment

Accepted Answer

Job design is the application of motivational theories to the structure of work for improving productivity and satisfaction.

Question 2

With __________ schedule, the reinforcement is administered only after some occurrences of the correct behavior.
A) extinction
B) partial reinforcement
C) negative reinforcement
D) avoidance learning
E) none of these

Accepted Answer

In a partial reinforcement schedule, the reinforcement is not given every time the correct behavior is exhibited but rather after some occurrences of the behavior. This can make the behavior more resistant to extinction, as the individual is not sure when they will be rewarded and therefore continue to exhibit the behavior. Extinction refers to the gradual decrease in the frequency of the behavior when the reinforcement is no longer provided. Negative reinforcement is a type of operant conditioning where the behavior is strengthened by the removal or avoidance of an unpleasant stimulus. Avoidance learning is when an individual learns to avoid a negative consequence by performing a specific behavior. None of these fully describe the scenario presented in the question.

Question 3

One of your fellow team members at work is continually disrupting the team's work with jokes and general horseplay. You hope that by ignoring him he will stop this senseless behavior. You are attempting to use which reinforcement tool?
A) Extinction
B) Positive reinforcement
C) Negative reinforcement
D) Avoidance learning
E) Desired behavior is reinforced annually

Accepted Answer

Extinction involves withholding reinforcement for a behavior, which can lead to a decrease in that behavior over time. In this case, ignoring the team member's disruptive behavior is an attempt to withhold any positive reinforcement he may be seeking, with the hope that he will stop the behavior.

Question 4

While job __________ can lead to greater task efficiencies, it has failed as a motivational technique.
A) rotation
B) enlargement
C) simplification
D) characteristics
E) enrichment

Accepted Answer

The answer of While job __________ can lead to greater...

Question 5

__________ pursues task efficiency by reducing the number of tasks one person must do.
A) Job simplification
B) Job rotation
C) Job enlargement
D) Job enrichment
E) Job enhancement

Accepted Answer

Job simplification is a method to pursue task efficiency by reducing the number of tasks an employee has to do by dividing the job into simple, repetitive tasks. This technique helps to increase the speed and accuracy of the task by giving them repetitive nature, in which an employee specializes in one aspect of the job, leading to better task efficiency.

Question 6

Which of these is the imposition of unpleasant outcomes on an employee?
A) Avoidance learning
B) Punishment
C) Positive reinforcement
D) Extinction
E) Avoiding punishment

Accepted Answer

Punishment is the imposition of unpleasant outcomes on an employee as a consequence of an undesired behavior.

Question 7

With which schedule reinforcement administered at random times cannot be predicted by the employee?
A) Fixed-ratio
B) Variable-interval
C) Variable-ratio
D) Continuous
E) Fixed-interval

Accepted Answer

Variable-interval reinforcement is when reinforcement is administered at random times but on an average schedule. This can not be predicted by the employee as they do not know when they will receive reinforcement.

Question 8

The __________ schedule rewards employees at specified time intervals.
A) fixed-ratio
B) variable-interval
C) variable-ratio
D) continuous
E) fixed-interval

Accepted Answer

The fixed-interval schedule rewards employees at specified time intervals, such as hourly, daily, or weekly. This type of schedule reinforces behavior that occurs after a certain amount of time has passed.

Question 9

One of your fellow students is continually late to class. The professor has tried numerous verbal warnings and recently took points away from the student's grade. The student continued to show up late. Based on the above, the professor's actions are consistent with which of the following reinforcement techniques?
A) Negative reinforcement
B) Extinction
C) Positive reinforcement
D) Avoidance learning
E) Rewards enhancement

Accepted Answer

The professor's actions of taking points away from the student's grade after being repeatedly late is consistent with the extinction reinforcement technique, which involves decreasing the frequency of a behavior by removing a reinforcing consequence.

Question 10

With __________ schedules, reinforcement occurs after a specified number of desired responses.
A) fixed-ratio
B) variable-interval
C) variable-ratio
D) continuous
E) fixed-interval

Accepted Answer

In a fixed-ratio schedule, reinforcement is delivered after a specific number of desired responses have occurred. For example, a fixed-ratio schedule of 4 means that reinforcement is given after every fourth correct response. This type of reinforcement schedule typically results in high response rates and can be used to develop repetitive behaviors.

Question 11

Which of the following techniques reduces the likelihood that behavior will be repeated?
A) Positive reinforcement
B) Negative reinforcement
C) Extinction
D) Reward enhancement
E) All of these

Accepted Answer

Extinction is the process of withholding reinforcement for a previously reinforced behavior, ultimately reducing the likelihood of the behavior being repeated in the future. Positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement both increase the likelihood of behavior being repeated, while reward enhancement refers to increasing the value of a previously established reward, which may actually increase the likelihood of behavior being repeated. Therefore, the only technique that reduces the likelihood of behavior being repeated is extinction.

Question 12

__________ is the withdrawal of a positive reward, meaning that behavior is no longer reinforced and hence is less likely to occur in the future.
A) Avoidance learning
B) Punishment
C) Positive reinforcement
D) Extinction
E) None of these

Accepted Answer

Extinction is the gradual disappearance of behavior that occurs when a positive reward is withdrawn. When a behavior is no longer reinforced, it becomes less likely to occur in the future.

Question 13

With a continuous reinforcement schedule,
A) every sixth desired behavior is reinforced.
B) on average, every sixth desired behavior is reinforced.
C) every occurrence of the desired behavior is reinforced.
D) once a day the desired behavior is reinforced.
E) desired behavior is reinforced annually.

Accepted Answer

With a continuous reinforcement schedule, every occurrence of the desired behavior is reinforced. This means that the reinforcement is provided every time the behavior occurs, without any pattern or delay.

Question 14

Rakim is a big believer in reinforcement theory. He likes the slot machine analogy, so his schedule of reinforcement is based on a random number of desired behaviors. What type of reinforcement schedule is Rakim using?
A) Fixed-interval
B) Variable-ratio
C) Fixed-ratio
D) Continuous
E) Continuous-interval

Accepted Answer

Rakim is using a variable-ratio reinforcement schedule because the desired behaviors are reinforced randomly and with varying amounts. This schedule is often associated with high rates of behavior and resistance to extinction.

Question 15

__________ combines a number of tasks horizontally into one, new broader job.
A) Job simplification
B) Job rotation
C) Job enrichment
D) All of these
E) None of these

Accepted Answer

The answer of __________ combines a number of tasks horizontally...

Question 16

__________ schedules are based on random number of desired responses rather than variable time periods.
A) Fixed-ratio
B) Variable-interval
C) Variable-ratio
D) Continuous
E) Fixed-interval

Accepted Answer

Variable-ratio schedules are based on a random number of desired responses. This means that reinforcement is given after an unpredictable number of responses are made, making it difficult for the subject to predict when the reinforcement will occur. This leads to high levels of responding and is often associated with addictive behaviors.

Question 17

__________ is sometimes called negative reinforcement.
A) Avoidance learning
B) Punishment
C) Positive reinforcement
D) Extinction
E) Neutral learning

Accepted Answer

Avoidance learning is sometimes referred to as negative reinforcement because the behavior is strengthened by the removal or avoidance of an aversive stimulus. In other words, a behavior is reinforced by avoiding the negative consequence. This is different from punishment, which involves adding an aversive stimulus to decrease a behavior. Positive reinforcement involves adding a desired stimulus to increase a behavior, extinction involves withholding reinforcement to decrease a behavior, and neutral learning refers to learning that is not influenced by reinforcement or punishment.

Question 18

Tony publicly praises his employees when they have achieved their goals. Tony hopes this will increase the likelihood of goal achievement in the future. This is an example of
A) extinction.
B) negative reinforcement.
C) avoidance learning.
D) positive reinforcement.
E) none of these.

Accepted Answer

Tony's behavior of publicly praising his employees for achieving their goals is an example of positive reinforcement. By praising his employees, Tony is increasing the likelihood of goal achievement in the future by providing a positive stimulus.

Question 19

Rudy is looking for ways to increase the number of different tasks that an employee performs without increasing task complexity. He should try
A) job simplification.
B) job enlargement.
C) job rotation.
D) job enrichment.
E) job lay-off.

Accepted Answer

Job rotation involves moving employees from one task to another, which increases the variety of tasks they perform without increasing task complexity.

Question 20

Which of these systematically moves employees from one job to another, thereby increasing the number of different tasks an employee performs without increasing the complexity of any one job?
A) Job simplification
B) Job rotation
C) Job enlargement
D) Job enrichment
E) None of these

Accepted Answer

Job rotation systematically moves employees from one job to another, thereby increasing the number of different tasks an employee performs without increasing the complexity of any one job. Job simplification involves reducing the number of tasks performed by an employee in order to increase efficiency, while job enlargement involves increasing the number of tasks performed by an employee, often by adding tasks that are similar in complexity. Job enrichment involves increasing the level of responsibility, autonomy, and decision-making authority given to employees.

Quiz 16: Motivation

__________ is the application of motivational theories to the structure of work for improving productivity and satisfaction.

With __________ schedule, the reinforcement is administered only after some occurrences of the correct behavior.

One of your fellow team members at work is continually disrupting the team's work with jokes and general horseplay. You hope that by ignoring him he will stop this senseless behavior. You are attempting to use which reinforcement tool?

While job __________ can lead to greater task efficiencies, it has failed as a motivational technique.

__________ pursues task efficiency by reducing the number of tasks one person must do.

Which of these is the imposition of unpleasant outcomes on an employee?

With which schedule reinforcement administered at random times cannot be predicted by the employee?

The __________ schedule rewards employees at specified time intervals.

With __________ schedules, reinforcement occurs after a specified number of desired responses.

Which of the following techniques reduces the likelihood that behavior will be repeated?

__________ is the withdrawal of a positive reward, meaning that behavior is no longer reinforced and hence is less likely to occur in the future.

With a continuous reinforcement schedule,

Rakim is a big believer in reinforcement theory. He likes the slot machine analogy, so his schedule of reinforcement is based on a random number of desired behaviors. What type of reinforcement schedule is Rakim using?

__________ combines a number of tasks horizontally into one, new broader job.

__________ schedules are based on random number of desired responses rather than variable time periods.

__________ is sometimes called negative reinforcement.

Tony publicly praises his employees when they have achieved their goals. Tony hopes this will increase the likelihood of goal achievement in the future. This is an example of

Rudy is looking for ways to increase the number of different tasks that an employee performs without increasing task complexity. He should try

Which of these systematically moves employees from one job to another, thereby increasing the number of different tasks an employee performs without increasing the complexity of any one job?