Question 1

All of the following are ways QuikTrip motivates employees by emphasizing external theories of motivation except:

Accepted Answer

Promoting from within (A) and training from within (B) are examples of internal theories of motivation, as they focus on providing opportunities for growth and development within the organization. Paying employees well (C) is a basic form of external motivation, as it offers a tangible reward for work performed. Prioritizing individual goals based on valence and expectancy of a reward (D) is also an external theory of motivation, as it focuses on providing rewards that are personally meaningful and achievable to employees. Therefore, the only choice that does not fit the category of external motivation is A, B, and C are all examples of external motivation, but D is not.

Question 2

As a supervisor you decide to use positive reinforcement to increase the probability that desired job performance will be repeated.All of the following are appropriate as positive reinforcement except:

Accepted Answer

No response or feedback when an employee fails to complete a task on time is not positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement involves providing a consequence (often a reward) that increases the likelihood of desired behavior being repeated in the future. Not providing any consequence or feedback would not accomplish this goal.

Question 3

A colleague does not respond to the sarcastic comments of a coworker but compliments the sarcastic colleague for constructive comments.Which of the following statements are true?

Accepted Answer

The colleague is using two operant conditioning principles: extinction and positive reinforcement. Extinction is when a behavior is not reinforced, leading to a decrease in that behavior. By not responding to the sarcastic comments, the colleague is not reinforcing that behavior, thus increasing the likelihood of it decreasing over time. Positive reinforcement is when a behavior is reinforced, leading to an increase in that behavior. By complimenting the sarcastic colleague for their constructive comments, the colleague is reinforcing that behavior, increasing the likelihood of it happening again in the future. Therefore, the colleague is using both extinction and positive reinforcement.

Question 4

Which of the following reinforcement consequences would have the most effect under OBM?

Accepted Answer

Money-based reinforcement is often considered the most effective consequence in Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) because it directly ties financial incentives to performance, which can strongly motivate employees.

Question 5

Operant conditioning is based on the notion that behavior is a function of:

Accepted Answer

Operant conditioning is based on the idea that behavior is shaped by its consequences. This means that behaviors that are followed by positive outcomes (reinforcement) are more likely to occur in the future, while behaviors that are followed by negative outcomes (punishment) are less likely to occur in the future. It is not based on seated beliefs, perception and thinking, or unconscious drives.

Question 6

Modifying behavior so that a conditioned stimulus is paired with an unconditioned stimulus and elicits an unconditioned response defines:

Accepted Answer

Modifying behavior so that a conditioned stimulus is paired with an unconditioned stimulus and elicits an unconditioned response is the definition of classical conditioning, where an initially neutral stimulus is paired with a naturally occurring stimulus to elicit a learned response. Operant conditioning involves modifying behavior through consequences and reinforcement, reinforcement refers to a consequence that increases the likelihood of a behavior, and learning is a broad term that encompasses both classical and operant conditioning as well as other forms of acquiring new knowledge or skills.

Question 7

According to your text, a major review of the research on the influence of OBM in organizations found that it had a positive and significant influence on task performance in both manufacturing and service organizations, but the effects were more powerful in manufacturing. In a study of "pay for performance", more productive employees chose "pay for performance" over "fixed" compensation when given a choice. However, regardless of which pay scheme employees chose, which of the following statements is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

The text states that in the study of "pay for performance", more productive employees chose "pay for performance" over "fixed" compensation when given a choice. However, regardless of which pay scheme employees chose, "pay for performance" resulted in better productivity. Therefore, option C is the most accurate statement. The text does not provide information to support options A, B, or D.

Question 8

A person working at a computer terminal may get lower back tension as a result of poor posture.If the person becomes aware of that tension only when the manager enters the work area, then the person may develop lower back tension at the appearance of the manager.This scenario would be an example of:

Accepted Answer

This scenario is an example of classical conditioning, where the appearance of the manager acts as the conditioned stimulus that elicits the conditioned response of lower back tension, which initially resulted from poor posture at the computer terminal. The association between the two stimuli (appearance of the manager and lower back tension) is learned through repeated pairings, leading to a conditioned response being evoked by the conditioned stimulus alone.

Question 9

QuikTrip holds to the gospel of rigorously hiring "nice people" as well as training from within, promoting from within, and paying the "right" people well to reinforce performance. These policies are more consistent with:

Accepted Answer

The answer of QuikTrip holds to the gospel of rigorously...

Question 10

All of the following are strategies used to influence the consequences of behavior except:

Accepted Answer

The given options include strategies used to influence the consequences of behavior. Neutral consequences, however, are not a strategy to influence behavior consequences. Neutral consequences refer to situations where no specific consequence follows a behavior, and therefore the behavior is neither reinforced nor punished.

Question 11

In the animal learning research of Pavlov, the sound of the bell was the:

Accepted Answer

In Pavlov's research, the sound of the bell became a conditioned stimulus because it was originally a neutral stimulus that did not elicit any response from the dog, but when it was paired repeatedly with the unconditional stimulus of food, it became associated with the food and eventually produced a conditioned response of salivation even in the absence of food.

Question 12

A form of operant conditioning that has been used successfully to shape organizational behavior is known as:

Accepted Answer

Organizational behavior modification (OB Mod) is a form of operant conditioning that uses the principles of behaviorism to modify employee behavior. It involves identifying desired behaviors, reinforcing them through positive consequences, and punishing undesired behaviors. OB Mod has been used successfully to shape organizational behavior by increasing productivity, reducing absenteeism, and improving job satisfaction. Job enrichment, organization development, and employee empowerment are other interventions that can impact organizational behavior but are not forms of operant conditioning.

Question 13

The behaviorist approach to learning assumes observable behavior is a function of:

Accepted Answer

The behaviorist approach to learning emphasizes that behavior is shaped and maintained by its consequences, such as rewards or punishments.

Question 14

The schedule of reinforcement that provides the least impact or incentive for performing well is known as:

Accepted Answer

In a fixed interval schedule of reinforcement, rewards are only given after a fixed amount of time has elapsed. This can lead to a lack of motivation to perform well, as the reward is not necessarily tied to the quality of performance. For example, an employee may only be given a bonus at the end of the month, regardless of how well they perform during that time. This can lead to a decrease in motivation to perform well, as the reward is not immediate and may not feel directly connected to their efforts. Therefore, choice C is the correct answer.

Question 15

In terms of the work environment, learning:

Accepted Answer

Learning in the work environment is primarily a change in behavior acquired through experience and knowledge acquisition. While formal training programs may contribute to this learning, the majority of learning occurs through on-the-job experience and ad hoc, informal learning opportunities. Additionally, learning is not limited to the acquisition of knowledge but also involves the development of new skills and behaviors.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a limitation of classical conditioning?

Accepted Answer

Unconditioned responses and unconditioned stimulus have been connected in humans, and many conditioned responses have been successfully studied and applied in various settings. Therefore, C is not a limitation of classical conditioning. A, B, and D are all valid limitations to consider.

Question 17

The process of modifying behavior through the use of positive or negative consequences following specific behaviors is called:

Accepted Answer

The process of modifying behavior through the use of positive or negative consequences following specific behaviors is the definition of operant conditioning, which is represented by choice D. Classical conditioning involves the association of two stimuli, Pavlovian conditioning is a synonym of classical conditioning, and Skinner's Integrated Model of conditioning is not a commonly known term in the field of psychology.

Question 18

Reinforcement and punishment are administered through:

Accepted Answer

Reinforcement and punishment are administered through positive or negative consequences. Reinforcement increases the likelihood of the behavior repeating, while punishment decreases the likelihood of the behavior repeating. Extinction involves removing a positive consequence that had previously reinforced a behavior, while ignoring the behavior involves not providing any consequence at all. Withholding a positive consequence is similar to extinction but specifically refers to not providing a previously promised reward.

Question 19

A manager who reduces an employee's pay if the employee comes to work late and refrains from doing so when the employee is on time has:

Accepted Answer

Negative reinforcement is when a certain behavior is strengthened by the removal or avoidance of an aversive consequence (in this case, a reduction in pay). By refraining from reducing the employee's pay when they arrive on time, the manager is reinforcing the behavior of being on time.

Question 20

Which of the following is a form of operant conditioning?

Accepted Answer

Organizational behavior modification (OB Mod) is a form of operant conditioning, which is used to modify employee behavior through reinforcements and punishments. It involves identifying specific behaviors, setting goals and targets, providing feedback, and linking rewards or consequences to the desired or undesired behavior. Expectancy theory (A) and the expectation-performance-reward-satisfaction chain (B) are theories of motivation that explain how individuals make choices based on their expectations of outcomes and rewards. The attempt by a supervisor to satisfy higher order needs of employees through participation (C) is a leadership or management style that focuses on empowering, involving, and engaging employees to enhance their motivation and satisfaction. It is not directly related to operant conditioning.

Quiz 6: Learning and Performance Management

All of the following are ways QuikTrip motivates employees by emphasizing external theories of motivation except:

As a supervisor you decide to use positive reinforcement to increase the probability that desired job performance will be repeated.All of the following are appropriate as positive reinforcement except: