Deck 6: Work Motivation

Question 1

The three main components of motivation include:

A) fun, fairness and resilience.
B) direction, acceptance and hard-headedness.
C) direction, intensity and persistence.
D) fun, frivolity and faith.

Answer 1

direction, intensity and persistence.

Question 2

Motivation is affected by both:

A) dispositional and situational factors.
B) experiential and emotional factors.
C) variational and exceptional factors.
D) vertical and horizontal factors.

Answer 2

dispositional and situational factors.

Question 3

Motivation theories that emphasise the impact of the environment on individual activities can be referred to as:

A) cognitive.
B) affective.
C) instinctive.
D) behaviourist.

Answer 3

behaviourist.

Question 4

External stimuli or events that increase the likelihood that a particular behaviour will be repeated can be called:

A) negative reinforcement.
B) extinction.
C) positive reinforcement.
D) punishment.

Question 5

The removal of an aversive consequence with the aim of increasing the behaviour can be called:

A) negative reinforcement.
B) extinction.
C) positive reinforcement.
D) punishment.

Question 6

The withholding of any kind of reinforcement, typically by ignoring the behaviour altogether, so that the likelihood of recurrence is reduced can be called:

A) negative reinforcement.
B) extinction.
C) positive reinforcement.
D) punishment.

Question 7

Maslow's need hierarchy theory, Herzberg's two-factor theory and McClelland's learned needs model are examples of:

A) content theories of motivation.
B) process theories of motivation.
C) behavioural approaches to motivation.
D) cognitive approaches to motivation.

Question 8

The belief that that people have a need to grow and develop, not just physically but also psychologically, hence we will always be striving to 'climb' the need hierarchy, was held by:

A) McClelland.
B) Herzberg.
C) Skinner.
D) Maslow.

Question 9

Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory has been criticised because:

A) there have been no subsequent research studies of the theory.
B) it is not clear how it can be useful in management applications.
C) it is difficult to see how anyone could progress to the highest level as we would always be getting pulled down the hierarchy by the non-fulfilment of lower-order needs.
D) Maslow missed at least one vital human need in designing the hierarchy.

Question 10

Which theorist reduced Maslow's five-factor hierarchy to three basic needs called existence, relatedness and growth?

A) Skinner
B) Herzberg
C) Alderfer
D) Vroom

Question 11

Which one of the following is not a motivator factor according to Herzberg?

A) Material benefits
B) Responsibility
C) Meaningful work
D) Recognition for achievements

Question 12

Which one of the following is not a hygiene factor according to Herzberg?

A) Material benefits
B) Responsibility
C) Pay
D) Working conditions

Question 13

Herzberg argued that:

A) satisfaction is conceptually the same as dissatisfaction.
B) satisfaction can lead to dissatisfaction.
C) dissatisfaction can lead to satisfaction.
D) lack of satisfaction is conceptually (and practically) different from dissatisfaction.

Question 14

Herzberg's two-factor model has been criticised because:

A) it complicated the nature of job satisfaction.
B) there is an assumption that certain factors universally function as hygiene factors while others are always motivator factors.
C) there have been no subsequent research studies of the model.
D) it has been shown that everyone seeks high levels of control and responsibility in their job.

Question 15

A desire to dominate other people and situations features in which content theorist's model?

A) McClelland
B) Herzberg
C) Skinner
D) Alderfer

Question 16

The view that that people make rational choices about the activities they will engage in and their actions will be motivated by internalised intentions and goals is most aligned with which motivation theory?

A) ERG theory
B) Hierarchy of needs theory
C) Two-factor theory
D) Goal-setting theory

Question 17

Which motivation theorist proposed that people generally want to be treated with fairness and justice?

A) Vroom
B) Adams
C) Maslow
D) Herzberg

Question 18

Which one of the following is not a feature of equity theory?

A) A person's motivation and behaviour will be influenced by the perceived ratio of outcomes/inputs.
B) We make mental calculations of our own outcomes/inputs ratio compared with the outcomes/inputs ratio we believe exists for other people.
C) Investing effort will result in being able to perform the task.
D) Where we feel that we are not getting as much from the job as we are putting in (compared with other people), we will try to change this situation.

Question 19

Which one of the following is not a feature of equity theory?

A) A person's motivation and behaviour will be influenced by the perceived ratio of outcomes/inputs.
B) B.We make mental calculations of our own outcomes/inputs ratio compared with the outcomes/inputs ratio we believe exists for other people.
C) Investing effort will result in being able to perform the task.
D) Where we feel that we are not getting as much from the job as we are putting in (compared with other people), we will try to change this situation.

Question 20

When a person feels a sense of inequity, which one of the following is not among the expected possible responses?

A) Changes the referent person(s)
B) Leaves the job
C) Changes the attitude
D) Increases the inputs

Question 21

Experimental studies have frequently illustrated that:

A) underpayment leads to a reduction of effort and lower input.
B) overpayment leads to a reduction of effort and lower input.
C) underpayment leads to an increase of effort and higher input.
D) overpayment leads to an increase of effort and lower input.

Question 22

Which of the following is not one of the clear guidelines offered by expectancy theory for how to enhance worker motivation?

A) Ensure that their performance is clearly linked to the valued rewards.
B) Ensure that they believe they can do the job.
C) Ensure that valued rewards are available to workers.
D) Ensure that referent persons are subject to the same pay and conditions.

Question 23

Which one of the following motivation theories is both well supported by research and the most practical for managers?

A) ERG
B) Expectancy theory
C) Equity theory
D) Herzberg's two-factor theory

Question 24

What are the three components of motivation?

Question 25

Discuss the extent and type of any difference between extinction and punishment.

Question 26

With the support of a few examples, explain the difference between hygiene and motivator factors.

Question 27

What are the four ways in which goals can influence behaviour?

Question 28

Discuss any four potential responses that may occur when you feel inequity at work.

Question 29

What factors determine a person's motivation to perform a task?