Chapter 13—Motivation at Work
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Any level of performance on any task is a function of
a.
motivation.
b.
ability.
c.
equipment.
d.
materials.
e.
all of these.
2. Ben has a learning difference. School has always been hard for him. Ben is one of the hardest workers
in class and frequently earns the highest grade. Ben has
a.
high ability, high motivation.
b.
high ability, low motivation.
c.
low ability, low motivation.
d.
low ability, high motivation.
e.
the best materials and equipment.
3. ____ is usually not the purview of human resources.
a.
Motivation
b.
Context
c.
Ability
d.
Reward
e.
Evaluation
4. Every time Theodore decides to take an extra-long, three-hour lunch, his boss makes him stay late to
make up the missed work. Eventually, Theodore quits taking long lunches. Theodore’s boss is using
____ theory to help Theodore change his behavior.
a.
expectancy
b.
agency
c.
compensation
d.
reward
e.
reinforcement
5. According to agency theory, which of the following is NOT a fundamental difference between owners
and managers?
a.
Owners are more focused on minimizing costs than are managers.
b.
Owners are more inclined to accept risk than are managers.
c.
Owners focus more on short-run profitability than do managers.
d.
Managers are more inclined than owners to spend resources on activities that are not
essential to organizational profitability.
e.
Managers serve as agents who represent owners’ interests.
6. Which of the following is NOT a determinant of performance in an organization?
a.
Employees’ ability to perform
b.
Environment in which performance takes place
c.
Support factors such as machinery and materials
d.
Demand for the organization’s products or services
e.
Employees’ motivation to perform
7. It is quite likely that all the employees in the firm will be capable of performing their jobs at a reasonably
high level of proficiency if the HR manager
a.
collected the right information about the job requirements.
b.
recruited qualified people.
c.
selected the best among the recruits.
d.
trained them on exactly what they are required to do.
e.
all of these.
8. Which of the levels in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs states that a safe environment is a motivational
factor?
a.
Physiological
b.
Security
c.
Self-actualization
d.
Esteem
e.
Belongingness
9. Which of the levels in Maslow‘s hierarchy of needs states that having a positive view of one’s self is a
motivational factor?
a.
Physiological
b.
Security
c.
Self-actualization
d.
Esteem
e.
Belongingness
10. Which of the levels in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs states that food, water, and shelter are motivational
factors?
a.
Physiological
b.
Security
c.
Self-actualization
d.
Esteem
e.
Belongingness
11. How many levels appear in Alderfer’s ERG theory?
a.
1
b.
2
c.
3
d.
4
e.
5
12. In Herzberg’s two-factor theory of motivation, what element can be used to satisfy individual needs?
a.
Merit
b.
Motivators
c.
Hygiene factors
d.
All of these
e.
Both motivators and hygiene factors
13. Under her employer’s incentive pay system, Vicky’s team sells the most real estate and wins a trip to
Hawaii. Based on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory, what is the trip?
a.
Physiological
b.
Security
c.
Self-actualization
d.
Esteem
e.
Belongingness
14. Some managed health-care plans keep costs low by paying incentive compensation to doctors to limit
the number of high-cost treatments they provide to patients. What is the incentive compensation called
based on behavioral modification?
a.
Self-actualization
b.
Extinction
c.
Dissonance
d.
Positive reinforcement
e.
Punishment
15. When a manager applies a negative consequence to reduce an employee’s undesirable behavior, what is
this process called?
a.
Self-actualization
b.
Extinction
c.
Dissonance
d.
Positive reinforcement
e.
Punishment
16. Which of the following reinforcement schedules targets behavior on the basis of the passage of time?
a.
Interval
b.
Ratio
c.
Rational
d.
Bounded rational
e.
Instrumentality
17. Which of the following reinforcement schedules targets behavior on the basis of how many times the
conduct occurs?
a.
Interval
b.
Ratio
c.
Rational
d.
Bounded rational
e.
Instrumentality
18. Which of the following reinforcement schedules targets behavior on the basis of a constant amount of
time that must transpire?
a.
Fixed interval
b.
Variable interval
c.
Fixed ratio
d.
Variable ratio
e.
Continuous ratio
19. Which of the following reinforcement schedules targets behavior on the basis of a varying amount of
time that must transpire?
a.
Fixed interval
b.
Variable interval
c.
Fixed ratio
d.
Variable ratio
e.
Continuous ratio
20. Which of the following reinforcement schedules targets behavior on the basis of a constant number of
times that conduct must occur?
a.
Fixed interval
b.
Variable interval
c.
Fixed ratio
d.
Variable ratio
e.
Continuous ratio
21. Which of the following reinforcement schedules targets behavior on the basis of a varying number of
times that conduct must occur?
a.
Fixed interval
b.
Variable interval
c.
Fixed ratio
d.
Variable ratio
e.
Continuous ratio
22. Which component of expectancy theory covers the performance-to-outcomes expectancy?
a.
Dissonance
b.
Valence
c.
Expectancy
d.
Instrumentality
e.
VIE
23. Which component of expectancy theory covers the relative value of rewards and other consequences?
a.
Dissonance
b.
Valence
c.
Expectancy
d.
Instrumentality
e.
VIE
24. Equity theory discusses individuals’ perceptions about the relationship between ____ and ____.
a.
instrumentality, valence
b.
financial incentives, nonfinancial rewards
c.
equity, reinforcement
d.
rewards, punishments
e.
inputs, outcomes
25. The concept that people who have goals work harder than those persons who do not have goals is
covered in
a.
the goal measurement approach.
b.
the goal relation principle.
c.
equity theory.
d.
reinforcement theory.
e.
goal theory.
26. Goal setting theory was first proposed by:
a.
Tate
b.
Herzberg
c.
Maslow
d.
Locke
e.
Vroom
27. Tom believed that if he set a goal of increasing his tips by 10% and followed his company’s sales training
seminar, he would succeed. Tom’s employer was successful at using
a.
the goal measurement approach.
b.
the goal relation principle.
c.
equity theory.
d.
reinforcement theory.
e.
goal theory.
28. Stephanie watched as Sally, a supermarket courtesy clerk, received the customer service awards and
bonuses. Stephanie is determined to earn the award and bonus next time. This is an example of ____
theory.
a.
goal
b.
equity
c.
ERG
d.
hierarchy of needs
e.
agency
29. When an employee’s input-outcome ratio is more favorable than that of a comparison other, ____ has
occurred.
a.
instrumentality
b.
valence
c.
equity
d.
underpayment inequity
e.
overpayment inequity
30. Doing things that are innovative and provide some value for the organization is called
a.
intrinsic motivation.
b.
creative behavior.
c.
external motivation.
d.
agency response.
e.
goal setting.
Scenario 13.1
John Davis, a human resource manager for a medium-size chain of hotels, is trying to motivate the
company’s employees with an updated compensation plan. There are two groups of operating
employees. Line employees are responsible for dealing directly with customers, and their performance
objectives are related to providing high-quality customer service. To do this, line personnel must
undergo regular training to update their customer service skills. Operating managers are responsible for
monitoring the activities of the line personnel and providing instructional/developmental support when
needed. Currently, the line personnel are paid on an hourly basis, while the operating managers are paid
salaries. If employees earn adequate performance appraisals, they can receive generous bonuses and pay
raises. However, when performance evaluations are unacceptable, employees do not receive any
rewards. John believes that his new plan to give employees shares of profit and stock on the basis of the
results of performance evaluations will further motivate employees and managers.
31. Refer to Scenario 13.1. John knows that the last time the compensation plan was updated, an incentive
plan was proposed. However, the incentive pay for all of the chain’s employees was much greater than
anticipated and so the incentives were never paid. On the basis of ____ theory, when individuals did not
receive the promised incentive pay, their motivation was reduced.
a.
agency
b.
expectancy
c.
equity
d.
performance
e.
goal setting
32. Refer to Scenario 13.1. The profit and stock awards are considered to be
a.
self-actualization.
b.
extinction.
c.
dissonance.
d.
positive reinforcement.
e.
punishment.
33. Refer to Scenario 13.1. ____ occurs when performance evaluation results are not acceptable.
a.
Self-actualization
b.
Extinction
c.
Dissonance
d.
Positive reinforcement
e.
Punishment
34. Refer to Scenario 13.1. The different pay structures used for line and managerial employees could create
a perception of injustice on the basis of ____ theory.
a.
goal
b.
expectancy
c.
equity
d.
need
e.
merit
35. Refer to Scenario 13.1. Agency theory predicts that profit and stock awards will increase the efforts of
employees directed toward increasing firm profitability, because the
a.
stock options align the interests of all employees and stakeholders.
b.
stock options increase compensation, especially when the firm’s stock price is low.
c.
stock options make the employees into owners, who will work harder in their self-interest.
d.
employees know that stock options can be very valuable and they work harder when they
know the firm values their efforts.
e.
employees perceive greater equity with employees who receive stock options at other firms.
TRUE/FALSE
36. Either ability or motivation can always compensate for a deficiency of the other.
37. The level of performance on any task is solely a function of motivation.
38. Context refers to such things as equipment and materials.
39. Security needs are the lowest level in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.
40. Money plays a role in satisfying all of the needs proposed by Maslow.
41. In reinforcement theory, the response is the behavior that the person exhibits when she or he encounters
the stimulus.
42. Process theories of motivation are concerned with how a person becomes motivated to perform in a
certain way.
43. Research shows that general goals are much more effective at increasing employee performance than are
specific goals.
44. Extrinsic motivation occurs when the work is interesting, engaging, and challenging.
45. Creative behavior involves doing things at work that are innovative and generate value for the company.
SHORT ANSWER
46. What is required of a human resource manager to ensure employees have the ability to perform at a high
level?
47. Compare and contrast Maslow’s hierarchy of needs with Alderfer’s ERG theory.
48. What are the basic principles discussed in equity theory?
49. What are the basic concepts discussed in goal theory?
50. How can creativity be used to motivate staff?