Deck 3: Motivation and Meaning

Question 1

The valence in expectancy theory is how much a person believes that high performance will lead to a desired outcome.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

Research finds that motivation is entirely internal and does not depend on external forces.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

A resonant environment is a workplace characterized by efficiency and orderliness.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Negative reinforcement occurs when an individual receives punishment for a given behavior.

Question 5

In Herzberg's two-factor theory,job dissatisfaction can be affected by salary,but job satisfaction cannot be affected by salary.

Question 6

The coach of a football team is typically high in personalized power because he derives satisfaction from the team winning.

Question 7

The SMART goal guidelines support "doing" goals.

Question 8

Ultimately,you are responsible to motivate yourself in your job.

Question 9

Every leader casts a shadow that either encourages or inhibits people's motivation to work.

Question 10

The Bobo doll experiments showed that people are likely to replicate behaviors that they observe.

Question 11

Most companies use strict merit-based plans that calculate compensation only on performance.

Question 12

Autonomy in a job helps a worker take ownership and responsibility for the work.

Question 13

Cognitive dissonance arises from the attempt to process conflicting ideas,attitudes,or beliefs.

Question 14

Individuals with high nAch (need for achievement)are often poor team players.

Question 15

The desire for social status is an intrinsic motivator.

Question 16

In Maslow's hierarchy of needs,the need for personal safety comes before satisfying physical needs such as hunger.

Question 17

The word Ubuntu reflects the idea that people need each other to get by.

Question 18

A person who is confident that he or she can succeed in a job has high self-reinforcement.

Question 19

The job characteristics model argues that people need certain qualities in their jobs in order to be intrinsically motivated and satisfied with work.

Question 20

To avoid a negative work environment,managers need to be constantly on the lookout for inequity in the workplace.

Question 21

Which statement reveals a flaw in Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory?

A) Some needs are considered more important than others.
B) Physiological needs are considered more low-level than esteem.
C) People don't seek to satisfy self-actualization needs until all other needs are met.
D) People don't seek to satisfy personal esteem needs until self-actualization needs are met.

Question 22

Extrinsic motivation frequently includes ________.

A) avoiding unpleasant consequences of events
B) autonomy, or a sense that a person is in control of his or her work environment
C) an opportunity to learn new skills
D) an opportunity to gain new knowledge

Question 23

Which statement is NOT true about Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory?

A) Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory is not well supported by research.
B) Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory is well supported by research.
C) Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory is popular in academic courses.
D) Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory makes intuitive sense.

Question 24

In Herzberg's two-factor theory,getting a raise in salary is likely to ________.

A) increase a worker's job satisfaction
B) decrease a worker's job satisfaction
C) increase a worker's job dissatisfaction
D) decrease a worker's job dissatisfaction

Question 25

Which of the following statements about meaningful work is TRUE?

A) Meaningful work must be challenging work.
B) Meaningful work must be work that is well-rewarded; typically with money.
C) Different people can have very different views of what meaningful work is.
D) All people agree that meaningful work must be creative and involve using one's imagination.

Question 26

Which single Big Five personality dimension correlates with inspirational leadership?

A) openness to experience
B) conscientiousness
C) extraversion
D) emotional stability

Question 27

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of being in "flow" when you are working?

A) You feel focused and in control.
B) You seem unaware of time passing.
C) You feel that you are performing at your best possible level.
D) You can picture the reward you will receive at all times.

Question 28

Intrinsic motivation ________.

A) includes some kinds of rewards such as personal satisfaction
B) does not include any kinds of rewards
C) does not include personal rewards such as a sense of satisfaction
D) includes increases in social status such as a job promotion

Question 29

In Herzberg's two-factor theory,________.

A) hygiene factors determine job satisfaction
B) hygiene factors determine job dissatisfaction
C) motivating factors determine job dissatisfaction
D) both hygiene and motivating factors determine job satisfaction

Question 30

Motivation ________.

A) is the cause of a complex set of psychological influences and external forces
B) is identical to productivity
C) can be measured in the amount of effort one gives and persistence one has
D) has little connection to success or productivity

Question 31

Why do managers put more time into thinking about motivation than the people who work for them?

A) Managers have more time than employees.
B) Part of a manager's job is to motivate employees.
C) Part of an employee's job is self-motivation.
D) Motivation comes more easily to employees than to managers.

Question 32

In Herzberg's two-factor theory,________.

A) motivating factors determine job satisfaction
B) motivating factors determine job dissatisfaction
C) both hygiene and motivating factors determine job dissatisfaction
D) neither hygiene or motivating factors determine job satisfaction

Question 33

People with a high internal locus of control are likely to be ________ because they feel that they ________.

A) high achievers; can change their environment
B) low achievers; can't change their environment
C) high achievers; can't change their environment
D) low achievers; can change their environment

Question 34

In McClelland's three-needs theory,which of the following is a shortcoming of nAch,the need for achievement?

A) A person with high nAch tends to become a micromanager.
B) A person with high nAch tends to avoid conflict.
C) The high ambition in a person with high nAch can be destructive.
D) A person with high nAch avoids giving critical feedback to subordinates.

Question 35

In McClelland's three-needs theory,which of the following is a shortcoming of nAff,the need for affiliation?

A) A person with high nAff performs poorly in team situations.
B) A person with high nAff tends to avoid conflict.
C) The high ambition of a person with high nAff can be destructive.
D) A person with high nAff tends to become a micromanager.

Question 36

Maslow's hierarchy of needs states that after people fulfill a need ________.

A) it ceases to be a motivator
B) it continues to be a motivator
C) they lose all motivation
D) they move down to a lower-level need

Question 37

Which of the following statements is TRUE about hope and motivation?

A) A sense of hope usually increases a person's motivation.
B) Hope is the result of high motivation.
C) Hope has no relation to motivation.
D) It is impossible to instill hope in people, so leaders should not waste time trying to make subordinates hopeful.

Question 38

The approval of one's peers is an ________.

A) intrinsic motivator because the sense of approval is an emotional feeling
B) intrinsic motivator because the sense of approval is not tangible
C) extrinsic motivator because the sense of approval is an emotional feeling
D) extrinsic motivator because the sense of approval comes from other people

Question 39

In Herzberg's two-factor theory,which of the following would best describe an internship that is an excellent learning and networking opportunity,but is unpaid and includes poor working conditions?

A) high hygiene, high motivator
B) high hygiene, low motivator
C) low hygiene, high motivator
D) low hygiene, low motivator

Question 40

In Herzberg's two-factor theory,________.

A) hygiene factors are largely intrinsic motivators
B) motivating factors are largely extrinsic motivators
C) both hygiene and motivating factors are largely intrinsic motivators
D) motivating factors include both extrinsic and intrinsic motivators

Question 41

In goal-setting theory,________.

A) "doing goals" are generally better than "being goals"
B) "doing goals" are generally not as good as "being goals"
C) "being goals" are generally more specific than "doing goals"
D) "being goals" are generally less vague than "doing goals"

Question 42

In equity theory,even if a worker's impression that there is an unfair equity imbalance is distorted or inaccurate,the worker is likely to ________.

A) ignore the imbalance
B) experience the imbalance as unfair nevertheless
C) work harder to correct the perceived imbalance
D) work less hard and voice strong objections

Question 43

Managers should constantly be on the lookout for ________ to avoid discontent in the workplace.

A) any kind of inequity, perceived or genuine
B) genuine inequity only
C) perceived inequity only
D) any kind of equity, perceived or genuine

Question 44

In expectancy theory,instrumentality is a measure of ________.

A) how much you value the reward
B) the extent to which a task is successfully completed
C) how well you are suited to handle the task
D) how likely you are to receive the reward if you complete the task

Question 45

Which of the following is the best definition for Ubuntu?

A) Greed is good because it ends up improving your community.
B) Greed is good as long as you don't hurt your community.
C) If you strive to help yourself, you will also help your community.
D) Make sure that all of your achievements are good for your community.

Question 46

Leaders who are capable of managing cognitive dissonance are more likely to ________.

A) sustain ethical leadership
B) engage in unethical leadership
C) lose many of their followers
D) be disrespected by their followers

Question 47

To correct inequity,managers should use ________.

A) monetary compensation only
B) nonmonetary compensation, such as praise and recognition, only
C) whatever approach they have available
D) praise, but avoid recognition

Question 48

Which of the following best describes the TAT (Thematic Apperception Test)?

A) a highly precise measure of McClelland's three needs
B) a highly precise measure of Maslow's three needs
C) an imprecise, but interesting measure of McClelland's three needs
D) an imprecise, but interesting measure of Maslow's hierarchy of needs

Question 49

One way that people typically try to resolve cognitive dissonance is by ________.

A) deciding that one of their perceptions must have been mistaken
B) deciding that both of their perceptions must have been mistaken
C) ignoring the issue completely
D) doing something unethical

Question 50

The primary focus of expectancy theory is ________.

A) fairness
B) outcomes
C) "doing"
D) "being"

Question 51

Cognitive dissonance occurs when two ideas conflict and ________.

A) both can't be true at the same time
B) neither idea seems to be true
C) one idea is clearly right and the other is wrong
D) both ideas have some kind of flaw

Question 52

In equity theory,a referent for a given individual can be ________.

A) a fellow worker only
B) a fellow worker or a group
C) a fellow worker or the individual himself or herself
D) a fellow worker, a group, or the individual himself or herself

Question 53

Which of the following is an example of an achievable,measurable goal in SMART goal terminology?

A) lose 30 pounds in 2 weeks
B) double your muscle mass over 3 months
C) lose 10 pounds over 6 weeks
D) gain 20 pounds of muscle in 4 weeks

Question 54

In expectancy theory,a person who is independently wealthy is likely to have ________ for a high-paying task that is tedious.

A) high valence
B) low valence
C) high instrumentality
D) low instrumentality

Question 55

In expectancy theory,valence is a measure of ________.

A) how much you value the reward
B) the extent to which a task is successfully completed
C) how well you are suited to handle the task
D) how likely you are to receive the reward if you complete the task

Question 56

In goal-setting theory,which of the following statements is TRUE?

A) General goals are best because they allow the most flexibility.
B) Specific goals are best because they allow the most flexibility.
C) Specific goals are best because they clearly define what is to be done.
D) General goals are best because they clearly define what is to be done.

Question 57

In McClelland's three-needs theory,which of the following is a shortcoming of nPow,the need for power?

A) A person with high nPow tends to become a micromanager.
B) The high ambition in a person with high nPow can be destructive.
C) A person with high nPow tends to avoid conflict.
D) A person with high nPow avoids giving critical feedback to subordinates.

Question 58

Equity theory is especially relevant because many workers are ________ in today's workplace.

A) getting more outcomes with fewer inputs
B) asked to work at home
C) more autonomous
D) asked to work harder and longer

Question 59

In operant conditioning,which term is used to identify the removal of an unpleasant stimulus?

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

Question 60

In equity theory a person is likely to be most unhappy when ________.

A) inputs exceed outcomes
B) outcomes exceed inputs
C) inputs equal outcomes
D) inputs fail to match outcomes

Question 61

Which operant conditioning methods are most commonly employed in organizations?

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

Question 62

Hector paired Robert,a new technician at his garage,with a long-time employee for the first two weeks.Is this an effective strategy?

A) No, because the pairing will distract Robert from mastering the work.
B) Yes, because the long-time employee will focus Robert on his goals.
C) No, because modeling one's behavior on a successful employee rarely improves performance.
D) Yes, because modeling one's behavior on a successful employee often improves performance.

Question 63

Providing jobs with more intrinsic motivators and more control over how jobs are performed is an example of ________.

A) job enlargement
B) job enrichment
C) job rotation
D) job expectation increase

Question 64

Penelope works in the HR department of a coffee company.She is working with other managers to restructure jobs and model them along the Job Characteristics model.To avoid employees from becoming bored in the workplace,which Core Job Dimension should Penelope focus on?

A) task identity
B) task significance
C) skill variety
D) feedback

Question 65

To give employees a better sense of "ownership" of their job,which Core Job Dimension should an HR manager work to enhance?

A) task identity
B) task significance
C) feedback
D) autonomy

Question 66

Which of these statements would Google CEO Eric Schmidt be most likely to agree with?

A) Necessity is the mother of invention.
B) You must have room and time to innovate.
C) Desperate people are the most creative people.
D) There is never enough time when you really want to do something.

Question 67

After lackluster performance by the print production group,Priya banned the use of MP3 players on the floor until the numbers improved.When production exceeded goals the following quarter,she allowed employees to use their music players on the job again.What type of operant conditioning does this scenario describe?

A) extinction
B) negative reinforcement
C) positive reinforcement
D) self-reinforcement

Question 68

To prevent misunderstandings and bad feelings between people from different cultures,which kind of operant conditioning would a manager do best to avoid?

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

Question 69

A friend wants to attend an inspirational leadership program.He is very intelligent and a hard worker.He hopes to develop his skills as an inspirational leader even though he is an extremely introverted person.Is this a good idea? Explain.

A) Yes, because the friend is highly intelligent and a hard worker, the program is likely to pay off. Intelligence and hard work are keys to becoming an inspirational leader.
B) Yes, because the friend is an introverted person and a hard worker, the program is likely to pay off. Introversion and hard work are keys to becoming an inspirational leader.
C) No, because the friend is highly intelligent and a hard worker, the program is not likely to pay off. Intelligence and ability to work hard are not typically traits found in inspirational leaders.
D) No, because the friend is an introverted person, the program is not likely to pay off. Extraversion, not introversion, is a key to becoming an inspirational leader.

Question 70

Kelly,an elementary school principal,constantly praises her teachers in an attempt to get them to believe they can improve student performance.What social learning strategy is Kelly attempting to instill in her staff?

A) self-reinforcement
B) self-efficacy
C) imitation
D) modeling

Question 71

Brad has been tasked with improving critical psychological states at a sporting goods company.Brad should strive to increase all of these EXCEPT which one?

A) compensation levels for employees
B) meaningfulness of work
C) responsibility for outcomes of work
D) knowledge of actual results of work activities

Question 72

Why does a leader's creation of a false sense of hope among workers ultimately backfire in most cases?

A) The sense of hope creates energy and optimism at first, but when workers realize that it is not sustainable they become bitter and lose motivation.
B) Workers are very suspicious of any kind of hope, so it is best to avoid creating a sense of hope, even if it is legitimate, because it will just arouse resentment.
C) Creating a false sense of hope usually doesn't backfire. Leaders who use this approach generally are successful.
D) Creating a false sense of hope backfires because workers can always tell instantly when hope is not legitimate, so they instantly reject this approach.

Question 73

Glen is coaching ten-year-old Fatima in tennis.He sets out a dish of candies and suggests that Fatima take one each time she serves an ace during practice.What social learning strategy is Glen trying to employ?

A) self-reinforcement
B) self-efficacy
C) engaging the emotions
D) modeling

Question 74

Doug's software firm is partnering with a Chinese company.To better understand his new partners,Doug needs to apply a great deal of empathy.Which of the following best defines empathy?

A) the ability to be imitate the behavior of others
B) the ability to feel what others are feeling
C) the ability to affect the way others feel
D) the ability to anticipate the actions of others

Question 75

A friend tells you that all of the motivation in his life is intrinsic; he has no extrinsic motivators.How do you evaluate this claim?

A) It sounds reasonable that a person would not get any satisfaction from outside rewards or approval, so you believe your friend's claim.
B) Most people have only one kind of motivation - internal or external. So this claim by your friend is credible.
C) Almost all people have both kinds of motivation. A person may be generally more internally motivated than externally, but at least some of everyone's motivation is extrinsic.
D) Most people are exclusively motivated by extrinsic rewards, so the claim by your friend is not credible because it is rare to find a person who is even partly motivated by internal rather than external factors.

Question 76

Which of the following is NOT a typical response by an American worker to a perceived inequity in which inputs exceed outcomes?

A) Ignore the inequity.
B) Work harder.
C) Work less hard.
D) Attempt to see the situation differently.

Question 77

Though Chinese workers have the same types of reactions to workplace inequities,they tend to tolerate much more inequity than their American counterparts.This would tend to increase which of the following responses by a worker to a perceived inequity in which inputs exceed outcomes?

A) Ask for a raise.
B) Attempt to see the situation differently.
C) Demand more fair treatment.
D) Ask for some nonmonetary reward.

Question 78

Stuart,an accomplished violinist,wants his eight-year-old daughter Anika to become a musician.To encourage her to practice,Stuart schedules his own practice sessions in front of Anika.What social learning strategy does Stuart hope to use here?

A) self-reinforcement
B) self-efficacy
C) observing and modeling
D) negative modeling

Question 79

Which of the following statements does NOT support the need for empathy in multicultural business situations?

A) Different cultures have different social customs and conventions that may seem strange to an outsider.
B) Different cultures have different ways to motivate that may seem wrong to an outsider.
C) Language barriers can inadvertently create misunderstandings between people.
D) Motivation is not considered important to managers in most foreign cultures.

Question 80

Which of the following is NOT a key goal of an HR director?

A) increase internal work motivation
B) increase job inequity
C) improve work performance
D) increase work satisfaction