Question 1

McClelland's Learned Needs Theory suggests that people are motivated by physiological, safety, belongingness, esteem, and self-actualization needs.

Accepted Answer

McClelland's Learned Needs Theory suggests that people are motivated by achievement, affiliation, and power needs.

Question 2

Peggy loves her new job as a media planner mainly because she feels that her superiors are fair to her despite her being a new employee. She feels that she is treated at par with other employees of the firm. Which of the following theories of motivation does this scenario illustrate?

Accepted Answer

The scenario exemplifies Equity Theory, which suggests that individuals compare their inputs (efforts, contributions) and outcomes (rewards, recognition) with those of others to determine if they are being treated fairly. Peggy feels that she is being treated equitably compared to other employees, which is contributing to her motivation and job satisfaction.

Question 3

Norman, a renowned painter, wants to open a new studio. He also wants to set up art exhibitions in different cities in the United States to display his artwork. In the context of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, this scenario best illustrates Norman's _____.

Accepted Answer

Norman's desire to open a new studio and set up art exhibitions shows that he is seeking self-actualization, which is the highest level of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. This level refers to the need for individuals to reach their full potential and achieve their goals, often by engaging in creative pursuits or intellectual activities. The other needs listed, such as belongingness, physiological, and safety needs, relate to more basic needs and would not be as relevant to Norman's situation as his pursuit of self-actualization.

Question 4

According to goal-setting theory, managers should assign challenging goals to motivate employees.

Accepted Answer

According to goal-setting theory, challenging goals are more likely to motivate employees and enhance their performance.

Question 5

Janet, a senior accountant at a manufacturing company, wanted to get her maternity leave extended by two weeks. Her supervisor rejected her leave application but gave her an option to take three weeks off in the next calendar year. Janet, however, rejected the offer and decided to quit her job. In the context of expectancy theory of motivation, this scenario best illustrates the factor of _____.

Accepted Answer

Valence refers to the value or preference an individual places on a particular outcome or reward. In this scenario, Janet placed a high value on an extended maternity leave and was not satisfied with the alternative offer presented by her supervisor, leading her to quit her job. This reflects the importance of valence in the expectancy theory of motivation.

Question 6

Alderfer suggests that people are just as likely to move down Maslow's needs hierarchy as up.

Accepted Answer

Alderfer's ERG theory proposes that individuals can move up and down the hierarchy of needs. Rather than a linear progression, Alderfer suggests that individuals may be motivated by multiple needs at once and can move back and forth between levels depending on their current experiences and situational factors.

Question 7

Melissa, a lawyer by profession, was considered one of the best singers in her previous company. After she switched jobs, she registered for all music-related activities in her new company so that her talent could be recognized in the new company as well. In the context of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, this scenario best illustrates Melissa's _____.

Accepted Answer

Melissa's desire to showcase her talent in the new company illustrates her need for esteem, which is a higher-level need according to Maslow's Hierarchy.

Question 8

When people perceive that they have been underrewarded, they tend to

Accepted Answer

When people perceive that they have been underrewarded, they tend to experience negative emotions such as anger or frustration. These emotions are a result of an individual's belief that they have put in more effort or received fewer rewards than what they feel they deserved.

Question 9

__________says that people will be motivated to the extent to which they believe that their efforts will lead to good performance, that good performance will be rewarded, and that they will be offered attractive rewards.

Accepted Answer

Expectancy theory, proposed by Victor Vroom, suggests that an individual's motivation is based on their beliefs about the likelihood of achieving desired performance and receiving desirable rewards or outcomes. Therefore, people are motivated to the extent they believe their efforts will lead to good performance and desirable rewards.

Question 10

Citrus Inc., a leading Internet service provider, provides its top managers with a bonus every year. However, this year the company performed poorly and its average stock price dropped below the industry standards. The company decided not to reward the managers this time around. This scenario typically illustrates the reinforcement contingency of _____.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Citrus Inc., a leading Internet service provider,...

Question 11

Extrinsic rewards are given to motivate people to look for better jobs outside a company.

Accepted Answer

Extrinsic rewards are given to motivate people to perform better within a company, not to look for better jobs outside.

Question 12

Employees who perceive layoff procedures to be fair tend to continue to support and trust their employers.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that employees who believe that layoff procedures are fair are more likely to maintain positive attitudes towards their employers and continue to trust and support them. Fairness in the process can lead to a sense of perceived organizational support, which impacts employee morale and job satisfaction. On the other hand, perceptions of unfairness can lead to resentment, decreased job satisfaction, and even legal action.

Question 13

Reinforcement contingencies directly affect the attractiveness of rewards.

Accepted Answer

Reinforcement contingencies dictate the relationship between behaviors and rewards. By establishing a clear link between certain actions and desirable outcomes, reinforcement contingencies can increase the appeal of rewards, making them more attractive to individuals. Therefore, reinforcement contingencies directly affect the attractiveness of rewards.

Question 14

In the context of motivation, initiation of effort is concerned with the choices that people make in deciding where to put forth effort in their jobs.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the context of motivation, initiation of...

Question 15

Afecreen Inc. has an average of 85 working days in a quarter. The company conducts quality checks to assess the performance of its employees. The employees who perform well may receive a bonus after 70 days or 100 days, but the average interval between the completion of tasks and the receiving of bonus is 85 days. In the context of reinforcement theory of motivation, which of the following intermittent reinforcement schedules does this scenario best illustrate?

Accepted Answer

The scenario best illustrates a variable interval reinforcement schedule. This is because the time interval between the completion of tasks and the receiving of bonus is not fixed, but varies between 70 and 100 days based on the employee's performance. The average interval of 85 days also shows that the reinforcement is given on a variable schedule rather than a fixed schedule.

Question 16

At Debrelas, a cosmetics manufacturing company, the salespeople are eligible for quarterly bonuses only if they meet their sales target for each month in that particular quarter. In the context of reinforcement theory of motivation, which of the following intermittent reinforcement schedules does this scenario best illustrate?

Accepted Answer

The answer of At Debrelas, a cosmetics manufacturing company, the...

Question 17

With fixed interval reinforcement schedules, consequences follow a behavior only after a fixed time has elapsed.

Accepted Answer

Correct, fixed interval reinforcement schedules are used when consequences follow a behavior only after a fixed amount of time has passed.

Question 18

Managers should reduce employees' outcomes to restore equity.

Accepted Answer

It is not ethical or fair to reduce employees' outcomes to restore equity. Instead, managers should work towards creating a fair and just system that rewards employees based on their performance, skills, and contributions to the organization.

Question 19

Jay's motivation to work decreased after he found out that newly recruited sales representatives are offered double what he was offered a year ago for the same position. Which of the following theories of motivation does this scenario illustrate?

Accepted Answer

This scenario illustrates equity theory, which suggests that individuals compare their own outcomes (such as pay) to the outcomes of others in similar positions to determine if they are being treated fairly. When Jay learned that new recruits were being offered double his salary, he likely perceived an inequity and his motivation decreased as a result.

Question 20

Pay, benefits, and job security/organizational financial stability are considered very important intrinsic factors that motivate employees.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Pay, benefits, and job security/organizational financial stability...

Quiz 13: Motivation