Theories of Motivation

Question 1

Theories of Motivation

this theory of motivation is based on the assumption that people have 5 basic needs that emerge in a hierarchical order from the most. basic to the most complex (physiological, safety, social, esteem, & self-actualization) and assumes that the lowest unfulfilled need in the hierarchy is the strongest motivator (is “prepotent”) and that, once a need is satisfied, it ceases to motivate behavior & the next need in the hierarchy becomes the primary source of motivation with the exception of self-actualization (or the need to fulfill one’s potential), which is never completely satisfied

Answer 1

Maslow’s (1970) Need Hierarchy Theory

Question 2

Theories of Motivation

list a criticism of Maslow’s (1970) Need Hierarchy Theory

Answer 2

assumptions & predictions are not evidence-based

Question 3

Theories of Motivation

this theory addresses both motivation and satisfaction and predicts that satisfaction & disssatisfaction are independent states that are affected by different factors: hygiene & motivator factors

Answer 3

Herzberg’s (1966) Two-Factor Theory

Question 4

Theories of Motivation

these factors are associated with Herzberg’s (1966) two-factor theory and include pay benefits, working conditions, & relationships with co-workers and are also known as job context factors & fulfill lower-order needs

Answer 4

hygiene factors

Question 5

Theories of Motivation

when hygiene factors are not adequate, a worker feels ____, but the availability of hygiene factors does not contribute to ____ or ____

Answer 5

dissatisfied; satisfaction & motivation

Question 6

Theories of Motivation

these factors are associated with Herzberg’s two-factor theory and include opportunities for responsibility, challenge, & advancement (aka job content factors) and fulfill higher-order needs

Answer 6

motivator factors

Question 7

Theories of Motivation

when motivator factors are adequate, a worker is both ____ & ____, but the absence of motivator factors does not cause ____

Answer 7

satisfied & motivated; dissatisfaction

Question 8

Theories of Motivation

this method of designing jobs, developed by Herzberg, provides motivator factors and can be applied to different types of jobs, but its effects depend on certain worker characteristics (e.g., it tends to have the most positive outcomes for younger and well-educated workers & those with a high need for achievement)

Answer 8

job enrichment

Question 9

Theories of Motivation

this is also a type of job redesign but only involves adding new tasks to the job; may alleviate boredom, but no effect on satisfaction & motivation

Answer 9

job enlargement

Question 10

Theories of Motivation

this theory of motivation is based on the assumption that the most important contributor to worker’s motivation to achieve goals is the workers acceptance of and committment to those goals. Research has found that levels of goal acceptance & commitment are greatest under these 2 conditions

Answer 10

Latham & Locke’s (2007) Goal-Setting Theory

1) specific & moderately difficult goals
2) regular & immediate feedback

Question 11

Theories of Motivation

research on goal-setting theory has found that when workers participate in setting their own goals, the goals tend to be (more/less/similarly) difficult compared to the goals their supervisor would have set for them

Answer 11

more difficult

Question 12

Theories of Motivation

research on goal-setting theory has found that ____ in goal-setting is not necessary for goal commitment except in certain circumstances

Answer 12

participation

Question 13

Theories of Motivation

research on goal-setting theory has found that group goals result in better performance than individual goals when the accomplishment of the task requires a high degree of what?

Answer 13

worker independence

Question 14

Theories of Motivation

this theory of motivation attributes a worker’s level of motivation to social comparisons and proposes that worker’s compare their own inputs (what they contribute to work) & outcomes (the pay & other reinforcers they receive from work) to the inputs & outcomes of workers doing the same or a similar job

Answer 14

Adams’s (1965) Equity Theory

Question 15

Theories of Motivation

according to Equity Theory, when the input/outcome ratios are (higher/lower/similar), workers experience a state of equity (fairness) & are motivated to maintain their current performance levels

Answer 15

similar

Question 16

Theories of Motivation

according to equity theory, if a worker believes their input/outome ratios differ, they experience a state of inequity and are motivated to… & when are workers more likely to feel motivated?

Answer 16

to act in ways that will establish equity,

when their inputs > outcomes compared to other workers

Question 17

Theories of Motivation

according to Equity Theory, this type of inequity occurs when a worker perceives their input-outcome ratio to be less than that of others (working less for more pay), it may motivate the worker to increase their work quality or quantity

Answer 17

overpayment inequity

Question 18

Theories of Motivation

according to Equity Theory, this type of inequity occurs when a worker perceives their input-outcome ratio to be greater than that of others (working more, getting paid less), it may motivate the worker to decrease their work quality and/or quantity or attempt to obtain better outcomes

Answer 18

underpayment inequity

Question 19

Theories of Motivation

according to Equity Theory, which type of inequity has a stronger impact on worker motivation & performance

Answer 19

underpayment

Question 20

Theories of Motivation

this theory of motivation describes job motivation as the result of 3 factors: expectancy, instrumentality, & valence

Answer 20

Vroom’s (1964) Expectancy Theory

aka VIE theory

Question 21

Theories of Motivation

this factor of expectancy theory refers to the worker’s belief that effort will lead to successful performance

Answer 21

expectancy

Question 22

Theories of Motivation

this factor of expectancy theory refers to the worker’s belief that successful performance will result in certain outcomes

Answer 22

instrumentality

Question 23

Theories of Motivation

this factor of expectancy theory refers to the value of expected outcomes to the worker

Answer 23

valence

Question 24

Theories of Motivation

according to expectancy theory, a worker’s motivation will be high only when which of the following is/are positive

A) expectancy
B) instrumentality
C) valence
D) all of the above

Answer 24

D) all of the above

Question 25

# **Theories of Motivation** Several months after being hired, Sally is not feeling very motivated to put much effort into her work because she realizes that, no matter how well she performs her job, she's not likely to get the rewards she was told she'd receive when she interviewed for the job. According to expectancy theory, which of the following contributors to motivation is being negatively affected by Sally's realization? A. expectancy B. valence C. instrumentality D. equity

Answer 25

C. instrumentality

Question 26

# **Theories of Motivation** delete

Question 27

# **Theories of Motivation** this theory of motivation was one of the earliest theories and is based on the assumption that **humans are motivated to maintain a state of equilibrium** (homeostasis) and proposes that an unfulfilled innate psychological need causes an uncomfortable state of disequilibrium & a drive to restore equilibrium by engaging in behaviors that fulfill the need

Answer 27

Hull's (1943) drive-reduction theory

Question 28

# **Theories of Motivation** Hull (1943) proposed that when a behavior is reinforced by satisfying a need, the behavior is likely to become a ____

Answer 28

habit

Question 29

# **Theories of Motivation** Hull's (1943) drive-reduction theory was replaced by a number of other theories after the 1950's primarily due to these 2 limitations

Answer 29

1) **no explanation of drives unrelated to physiological needs** (e.g., the drive to seek power) 2) **no explanation of engagement in behaviors without unfilled needs present** (e.g., eat in the absence of hunger)

Question 30

# **Theories of Motivation** this theory of motivation focuses on the impact of acquired psychological needs on motivation and proposes that these needs are shaped by early experiences and distinguishes between 3 acquired needs that contribute to work motivation: need for achievement, need for power, and need for affiliation

Answer 30

McClelland's (1961) **Acquired Needs Theory**

Question 31

# **Theories of Motivation** according to McClelland's (1961) Acquired Needs Theory, people who have a high need for ____ are motivated by a desire for success in accomplishing their goals

Answer 31

achievement

Question 32

# **Theories of Motivation** list 4 work-related preferences of people with a high need for achievement

Answer 32

1) prefer **tasks with moderate levels of difficulty & risk** (i.e., they have a 50/50 chance of being successfully accomplished) 2) want to assume **personal responsibility** for accomplishing tasks 3) prefer **not to delegate work** to others 4) desire **clear & frequent performance feedback**

Question 33

# **Theories of Motivation** according to McClelland's (1961) Acquired Needs Theory, people who have a high need for ____ are **motivated by opportunities to control & influence other people** and to gain a) status, b) prestige, and c) recognition

Answer 33

power

Question 34

# **Theories of Motivation** according to McClelland's (1961) Acquired Needs Theory, people who have a high need for ____ **want to be liked & accepted by others** and are motivated by opportunities to form relationships & interact with others

Answer 34

affiliation

Question 35

# **Theories of Motivation** this model proposes that jobs vary based on *skill variety, task identity, task significance, autonomy, & feedback* and those affect 3 critical psychological states of workers, that then have positive effects on workers' *job motivation, satisfaction, & performance*

Answer 35

Hackman & Oldham's (1980) **Job Characteristics Model**

Question 36

# **Theories of Motivation** according to Hackman & Oldham's (1980) Job Characteristics Model, workers **experience their jobs as meaningful** when the job provides these 3 of the 5 core characteristics

Answer 36

skill variety task identity & significance

Question 37

# **Theories of Motivation** according to Hackman & Oldham's (1980) Job Characteristics Model, when a job provides **opportunities to act autonomously**, workers...

Answer 37

feel **responsible for outcomes** of their work

Question 38

# **Theories of Motivation** according to Hackman & Oldham's (1980) Job Characteristics Model, when a job provides **regular performance feedback**, workers...

Answer 38

**know the results** of their efforts

Question 39

# **Theories of Motivation** Hackman & Oldham also contend that job outcomes are moderated by ____

Answer 39

growth-need strength

Question 40

# **Theories of Motivation** according to Hackman & Oldham, workers with high growth-need strength (seek to fulfill higher-order needs) are more likey than those with low growth-need strength to be (positively/negatively) affected by a job that provides the 5 core characteristics

Answer 40

postively (affected)