Question 1

Negative reinforcement is:
A) Strengthening a behavior by contingently presenting something pleasing
B) Weakening a behavior by ignoring it
C) Weakening a behavior through contingently presenting something displeasing
D) Weakening behavior by contingently withdrawing something positive
E) Strengthening a behavior by contingently withdrawing something displeasing

Accepted Answer

Negative reinforcement involves strengthening a behavior by removing or avoiding a negative outcome or stimulus, which is option E.

Question 2

Barney was late to work one morning, so he drove over the speed limit through a school zone. As a result, he got pulled over by a police officer and received a ticket. This scenario is an instance of __________.
A) Positive reinforcement
B) Negative reinforcement
C) Punishment
D) Extinction
E) Shaping

Accepted Answer

This is an example of punishment because Barney received a ticket (an unpleasant consequence) as a result of his behavior (driving over the speed limit in a school zone).

Question 3

Information about performance shared with those in a position to improve the situation is known as:
A) Coaching
B) Instruction
C) Feedback
D) Monitoring
E) Measurement

Accepted Answer

Feedback is information about performance that is shared with those in a position to improve the situation. Coaching is more specific and involves providing guidance and support for improvement. Instruction involves teaching or providing information on how to perform a task. Monitoring involves observing and recording performance, while measurement involves quantifying performance. Therefore, feedback is the best choice.

Question 4

Unlearned reflexes are:
A) Operant behavior
B) Consequential behavior
C) Reward behavior
D) Respondent behavior
E) Contingent behavior

Accepted Answer

Unlearned reflexes are also known as respondent behavior, which are automatic and involuntary responses to a stimuli. Examples include blinking when a puff of air is blown in your eye or salivating when smelling food. Other choices do not accurately describe unlearned reflexes.

Question 5

The process of strengthening a behavior by contingently presenting something pleasing is known as:
A) Positive reinforcement
B) Negative reinforcement
C) Extinction
D) Punishment
E) Respondent behavior

Accepted Answer

Positive reinforcement involves presenting something pleasing (such as a reward or praise) to strengthen a behavior. This is different from negative reinforcement, which involves removing something unpleasant to strengthen a behavior, punishment, which involves presenting something unpleasant to decrease a behavior, and extinction, which involves withholding reinforcement to decrease a behavior. Respondent behavior refers to automatic responses to environmental stimuli.

Question 6

Anna blinks her eyes whenever she looks up at the sun. This is an example of __________.
A) Respondent behavior
B) A learned reaction
C) Behavioral contingency
D) Operant behavior
E) Law of effect

Accepted Answer

Respondent behavior is an involuntary reaction to a stimulus, such as blinking in response to the brightness of the sun.

Question 7

The popular term for linking monetary incentives with results or accomplishments is:
A) Pay for rewards
B) Pay for play
C) Pay for performance
D) Pay for incentives
E) Pay as you go

Accepted Answer

Pay for performance is the popular term for linking monetary incentives with results or accomplishments. This approach aims to improve employee motivation and productivity by rewarding them for achieving specific goals or meeting certain performance criteria.

Question 8

Behavior that is learned when one acts on the environment to produce desired consequences is known as:
A) Operant behavior
B) Consequential behavior
C) Reward behavior
D) Respondent behavior
E) Contingent behavior

Accepted Answer

Operant behavior refers to behavior that is learned through the consequences that follow. When a behavior produces a favorable consequence, it is more likely to be repeated in the future. This type of learning is also known as operant conditioning, which was first described by B.F. Skinner. The other answer choices are not accurate definitions of this type of learning.

Question 9

Dr. Beswick enjoys teaching college courses. He likes the salary he receives as well as the ability to travel in summers. However, he also finds the job challenging and enjoyable. This would imply that he is working for:
A) Intrinsic rewards
B) Extrinsic rewards
C) Alternative rewards
D) Total rewards
E) Justice

Accepted Answer

The answer of Dr. Beswick enjoys teaching college courses. He...

Question 10

Josh used to run into heavy traffic every day while driving to work. One morning, he left his home earlier than usual and did not run into heavy traffic. Again the next morning, he left earlier and avoided heavy traffic. His behavior of leaving earlier enabled him to avoid heavy traffic and reach the office on time. Which of the following processes did Josh engage in?
A) Positive reinforcement
B) Extinction
C) Punishment
D) Negative reinforcement
E) Intermittent reinforcement

Accepted Answer

Josh engaged in negative reinforcement by leaving earlier to avoid heavy traffic, which resulted in the removal of an aversive stimulus (heavy traffic) and increased the likelihood of him leaving earlier again in the future to avoid heavy traffic.

Question 11

The general criteria used for distributing rewards are:
A) Extrinsic and intrinsic
B) Results, behaviors and actions, and nonperformance considerations
C) Positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, punishment, and extinction
D) Attraction, motivation, and retention
E) Financial and nonfinancial

Accepted Answer

Results, behaviors and actions, and nonperformance considerations are the most common criteria used for distributing rewards. Results refer to achieving certain performance goals, behaviors and actions refer to the way in which an individual performs their job, and nonperformance considerations refer to factors such as attendance and adherence to company policies. This comprehensive approach ensures that rewards are distributed based on both performance and behavior, which can motivate employees to achieve their goals while also fostering a positive work environment.

Question 12

Matt completed his assignments on time as his teacher had said that she would allow extra play time to children who submit their assignments on or before time. Which of the following made Matt complete his assignments on time?
A) Positive reinforcement
B) Negative reinforcement
C) Respondent behavior
D) Unlearned reflexes
E) Intermittent reinforcement

Accepted Answer

Matt completed his assignments on time because of positive reinforcement, which is the addition of a desirable stimulus (extra play time) following a behavior (submitting assignments on time) in order to increase the likelihood of that behavior being repeated in the future.

Question 13

The "law of effect" states that:
A) Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong
B) Behavior with favorable consequences tends to be repeated
C) People are motivated by punishment
D) Garbage in, garbage out
E) Leadership affects how people perform

Accepted Answer

The law of effect states that behavior with favorable consequences tends to be repeated. This concept was introduced by psychologist Edward Thorndike and is a foundational principle in modern psychology and behaviorism.

Question 14

Jill is a sales representative for a large pharmaceutical corporation. According to the current compensation system, if Jill meets her target for the quarterly sales projections, she will receive a bonus equivalent to 7% of her annual salary. Jill is working hard to meet the sales goal so that she can use the bonus money as a down payment on a new car for herself. Which of the following is true regarding Jill's motivation?
A) It comes from a sense of competence.
B) It comes from a sense of progress.
C) It is a consequence of job redesign.
D) It is intrinsically motivated.
E) It is extrinsically motivated.

Accepted Answer

Jill's motivation is extrinsically motivated because it is driven by the external reward of the bonus money, rather than an internal desire or passion for the job or sales itself.

Question 15

Papa Bill's, a local pizza chain, instituted a new compensation policy to increase the on-time delivery of its pizzas. Drivers were paid an extra $1.00 for each on-time delivery, payable on the next pay period. However, a review of the policy showed that traffic tickets for reckless driving among delivery drivers had increased by 50 percent since the new policy was introduced. Which of the following best explains why this reward system did not perform as expected?
A) The organization was unintentionally rewarding counterproductive behavior
B) Employees viewed the $1.00 incentive as an entitlement
C) The delay was too long between the performance and the reward
D) The organization placed too much emphasis on monetary rewards
E) The reward lacked an "appreciation effect"

Accepted Answer

The increase in traffic tickets suggests that the reward system was unintentionally rewarding reckless driving, which is a counterproductive behavior. The focus on on-time delivery without proper consideration for safe driving practices led to an increase in risky behavior among drivers.

Question 16

Extrinsic rewards come from ________ and intrinsic rewards come from ________.
A) The organization; coworkers
B) The organization; the environment
C) The environment; oneself
D) The environment; society
E) Oneself; the organization

Accepted Answer

Extrinsic rewards come from the environment, such as pay or benefits, while intrinsic rewards come from oneself, such as personal fulfillment or enjoyment of the work. The other answer choices do not accurately reflect the source of these types of rewards.

Question 17

When Eileen sees that the sun is shining brightly, she puts on sunglasses. This is:
A) Operant behavior
B) Consequential behavior
C) Reward behavior
D) Respondent behavior
E) Contingent behavior

Accepted Answer

The answer of When Eileen sees that the sun is...

Question 18

Polly worked as a bartender. A few people used to wave money at her so that she would serve them first. She found this to be rude and, hence, either ignored them or always served them last. People came to realize that she served only the people who waited politely, and much of the rude behavior stopped. Polly used the model of __________.
A) Positive reinforcement
B) Negative reinforcement
C) Variable ratio reinforcement
D) Extinction
E) Shaping

Accepted Answer

Polly used the principle of extinction by withholding reinforcement (serving first) to people who waved money rudely to get her attention. As a result, the behavior of waving money decreased over time.

Question 19

Kelly is a successful attorney specializing in corporate law. While it has nothing to do with her field of employment, Kelly has always been interested in the history of religion. Using what little free time she has, she decided to take a course in comparative religion at the local university. She thinks that the course would be interesting and enjoyable. Kelly is not pursuing a degree in the subject, nor is she taking the class for a grade. What can you say about Kelly's motivation for taking the class?
A) She has a high need for power.
B) She is intrinsically motivated.
C) She has a high need for affiliation.
D) She is not serious about her career.
E) She sees the potential that a degree in religion studies can help her advance in her job.

Accepted Answer

Kelly is not taking the class for a grade or pursuing a degree in the subject, indicating that she is not motivated by external rewards or career advancement. Instead, her motivation appears to be intrinsic, driven by a personal interest in the topic.

Question 20

Which of the following is not something a manager should do when giving feedback?
A) Provide feedback as soon as possible
B) Provide feedback about an aspect of a job that is beyond the individual's control
C) Be honest
D) Keep feedback relevant by relating it to existing goals
E) Provide specific, descriptive feedback

Accepted Answer

Providing feedback about something that is beyond an individual's control can be demotivating and unhelpful, as it is not something they can change or improve upon. Feedback should focus on areas that the individual can take action on to improve their performance.

Quiz 6: Performance Management

Negative reinforcement is:

Barney was late to work one morning, so he drove over the speed limit through a school zone. As a result, he got pulled over by a police officer and received a ticket. This scenario is an instance of __________.

Information about performance shared with those in a position to improve the situation is known as:

Unlearned reflexes are:

The process of strengthening a behavior by contingently presenting something pleasing is known as:

Anna blinks her eyes whenever she looks up at the sun. This is an example of __________.

The popular term for linking monetary incentives with results or accomplishments is:

Behavior that is learned when one acts on the environment to produce desired consequences is known as:

Dr. Beswick enjoys teaching college courses. He likes the salary he receives as well as the ability to travel in summers. However, he also finds the job challenging and enjoyable. This would imply that he is working for:

The general criteria used for distributing rewards are:

Matt completed his assignments on time as his teacher had said that she would allow extra play time to children who submit their assignments on or before time. Which of the following made Matt complete his assignments on time?

The "law of effect" states that:

Extrinsic rewards come from and intrinsic rewards come from .

When Eileen sees that the sun is shining brightly, she puts on sunglasses. This is:

Which of the following is not something a manager should do when giving feedback?