Motivation Theories in the Workplace

Which job characteristic is most closely related to the 'experienced responsibility' critical psychological state?

Task significance
Feedback from job
Autonomy (correct)
Task identity

What is the primary outcome of enacting the critical psychological states?

Increased job satisfaction
Improved work performance
Increased employee motivation, satisfaction, and performance (correct)
Decreased employee motivation

Which of the following job characteristics is most closely related to the 'experienced meaningfulness' critical psychological state?

Feedback from job
Any combination of the first three job characteristics (correct)
Task significance
Autonomy

What is the primary reason why the five job characteristics motivate employees?

They are related to 'critical psychological states' within an employee (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the Job Characteristics Model (JCM)?

To identify the five core job characteristics that motivate employees (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the five core job characteristics identified by the Job Characteristics Model (JCM)?

Job security (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary outcome of the 'experienced meaningfulness' critical psychological state?

Increased employee motivation (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the 'feedback from job' job characteristic?

To provide information on how well the job holder is performing (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of the 'task significance' job characteristic?

A customer service representative resolving a customer complaint (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the five job characteristics and the critical psychological states?

The five job characteristics result in the critical psychological states (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason people go to work, according to the Gallup survey?

For the monetary benefits (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of work motivation, according to Pinder (1998)?

A set of energetic forces that originate within and beyond an individual (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between motivation, ability, and performance, according to the equation?

Motivation x Ability = Performance (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for looking at psychological theories to motivate staff?

To apply scientific evidence to motivational practices (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the definition of work motivation?

The set of forces that initiate work-related behavior (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of understanding work motivation?

To initiate and sustain work-related behavior (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the Hierarchy of Needs Theory in the context of work motivation?

To identify the universal set of needs that drive human motivation at work (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the key assumption underlying the Hierarchy of Needs Theory?

That people will systematically satisfy their needs in a hierarchical order (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a strength of the Hierarchy of Needs Theory?

It provides a comprehensive framework for understanding human motivation (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential limitation of the Hierarchy of Needs Theory?

It oversimplifies the complexity of human motivation (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does the Hierarchy of Needs Theory suggest that needs are fulfilled?

Through a hierarchical progression from basic to higher needs (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key implication of the Hierarchy of Needs Theory for workplace motivation?

That employees are motivated by a universal set of needs (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary motivation behind an individual's desire for fairness in the workplace according to Equity Theory?

A need for social comparison (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of an individual perceiving equity in their work environment?

Job satisfaction and commitment (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of overpayment in the context of Equity Theory?

A desire to work harder (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the basis for an individual's perception of equity according to Equity Theory?

Balance of inputs and outputs (C) Signup and view all the answers

Who is the researcher associated with the development of Equity Theory?

John Stacey Adams (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of perceiving inequity in the workplace according to Equity Theory?

Feelings of tension and low motivation (D) Signup and view all the answers

According to Expectancy Theory, what is the main reason people are motivated to work?

When they can see a clear link between effort and rewards (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the formula for Motivational Force (MF) in Expectancy Theory?

MF = V x I x E (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does the Valence (V) term in Expectancy Theory represent?

The feelings of employees about job outcomes (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the range of values for the Valence (V) term in Expectancy Theory?

-10 to 10 (A) Signup and view all the answers

Who is the author of the Expectancy Theory, which proposes that motivation is understood in the form of a mathematical equation?

Victor Vroom (B) Signup and view all the answers

What are the three components of the Expectancy Theory equation?

Valence, Instrumentality, and Expectancy (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential negative consequence of goal-setting in the workplace?

It encourages people to use unethical methods to achieve them (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key limitation of goal theory in the context of work motivation?

It draws attention away from the morality of behaviour (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key difference between goal theory and self-determination theory?

Goal theory focuses on extrinsic motivation, while self-determination theory focuses on intrinsic motivation (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why goal-setting can lead to a displacement of responsibility?

It helps people to justify unethical behaviour (A) Signup and view all the answers

According to Barsky (2008), what is a potential negative consequence of goal-setting?

It encourages people to use unethical methods to achieve them (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key difference between goal theory and equity theory?

Goal theory is more focused on the outcomes of behaviour, while equity theory is more focused on the inputs and outcomes (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential negative consequence of focusing on achievement rather than process?

It draws attention away from the morality of behaviour (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key similarity between goal theory and self-determination theory?

They both focus on the process of achieving goals (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why goal-setting can lead to a misrepresentation of performance?

It helps people to justify unethical behaviour (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of goal-setting?

It focuses on the outcomes of behaviour (D) Signup and view all the answers