MNA2100 - Chapter 5

Frustration-regression Principle

A principle that says that someone who fails to reach a higher need level will sometimes become frustrated and regress (go back) to a lower need level, and stay there for some time—perhaps forever.

ERG Theory

A refinement of Maslow's hierarchy that includes only three needs areas: existence (mostly physical needs); relatedness (needs linked to relationships; and growth (internal esteem needs and self-actualization).

Task significance

A worker's perception that the task directly affects other people's work or lives.

What is meant by task significance?

A worker's perception that the task directly affects other people's work or lives.

Goal setting

Allows employees to set their own goals.

Power Needs

Desired by individuals who want to control and influence other people.

Manifest needs theory

Developed by David McClelland to show that all people have needs that motivate them in life and on the job. These three needs include power needs, affiliation needs, and achievement needs.

Expectancy theory

Developed by Victor Vroom to explain human behavior in terms of people's goals, choices, and the expectation that goals will be reached.

Organizational Climate

Emotional weather within an organization that reflects the norms and attitudes of the organization's culture and that affects worker morale, attitudes, stress levels, and communication.

________ describes the likelihood that if a person tries to perform better, that will really be the result.

Expectancy

Reinforcement Theory

Explains human behavior in terms of repetition. Behavior that is rewarded enough times will be repeated, whereas behavior that repeatedly receives no reward will probably discontinue.

True or False: A good organizational climate is limited to people getting along well.

False

True or False: A manager trying to motivate employees should not use frequent praise.

False

True or False: McClelland believed that someone with a strong affiliation need will generally make the best manager.

False

True or False: To increase productivity in an organization, job morale has to be sacrificed.

False

Self-actualization

Highest level of Maslow's hierarchy of needs; occurs when one has fulfilled his or her potential.

Sam is an experienced engineer, but he works as a draftsperson. His company has a pleasant work atmosphere. Though he is well paid, he is frustrated with his job as he does not get a sense of meaning or accomplishment. He decides to quit his job by the end of that month. In the context of Herzberg's two-factor theory, which of the following factors is missing in Sam's company?

Hygiene Factors

Safety and security needs

In Maslow's hierarchy and include physical safety from harm and the elements as well as financial security

Esteem needs

In Maslow's hierarchy, self-esteem needs include recognition from peers and colleagues.

Expectancy

In expectancy theory, the likelihood that if a person tried, the result would be better performance.

Reinforcers

Incentives such as awards, bonuses, promotions, gifts, and even compliments.

Love and belongingness needs

Include complete acceptance from family and friends. The third level of Maslow's hierarchy.

Autonomy

Independence, the ability to act and make decisions on one's own without undue interference from management.

In the context of job motivation, which of the following is an example of an extrinsic reward as a motivator?

Longer vacations

________ is the willingness to make an effort toward accomplishment.

Motivation

Achievement Needs

Occur in people who are goal oriented and take personal responsibility for achievements.

Affiliation Needs

Occur in people who want to be accepted and liked by others.

Morale

Overall mood of an individual or group, based on attitudes and satisfaction.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Shows that people tend to satisfy their needs in a certain order: first, physiological needs, then safety and security, belongingness and love, esteem, and finally, self-actualization.

Apart from a general sense of satisfaction from a job, which of the following is an intrinsic reward that acts as a strong motivator?

Social and community roles

Richard was working with a large manufacturing company. He voluntarily left his high-paying job because he felt that the company's products were of no significance to consumers and did more damage to the environment than it helped. Which of the following factors was most likely missing in Richard's job that demotivated him?

Task significance

Motivators (satisfiers)

The factors in Herzberg's theory that cause real, long-term motivation, usually containing intrinsic motivation factors (examples: interesting and challenging tasks, advancement, achievement, growth).

Motivation

The force of the need or desire to act.

Instrumentality

The likelihood that something good (or bad) will come from an increase in effort.

Physiological Needs

The most basic of Maslow's hierarchy of needs having to do with the satisfaction of physical needs, including food, water, air, and shelter.

Skill variety

The opportunity and ability to use numerous different skills in one's position at work.

Behavior Modification

The process of changing behavior because of a reward or lack of a reward.

Hygienes (dissatisfiers)

The qualities in the workplace that are outside the job itself (examples: company benefits, workplace policies, job security). When these factors are weak or missing, motivation will fall; however, when they are high, motivation will not be strong or long term.

Job enrichment

The upgrading of a job that makes it more interesting, meaningful, or rewarding and provides long-term motivation.

Valence

The value a person places on a reward.

Task identity

The worker's perception of the meaningfulness of a job, often based upon the worker's permission to start a job and see it through to completion.

According to David McClelland's manifest needs theory, which of the following is a characteristic of people with high achievement needs?

They set goals that are moderately challenging.

True or False: According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory of motivation, esteem needs include recognition from peers and colleagues.

True

True or False: According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory of motivation, people tend to satisfy their needs in a certain order: physiological needs, safety and security, belongingness and love, esteem, and finally, self-actualization.

True

True or False: An effective organizational climate allows people to work to their full potential without becoming a threat to others.

True

True or False: For managers, Maslow's main lesson on motivation is to notice the needs level of employees.

True

True or False: High self-esteem is the greatest motivator of all.

True

True or False: Researchers have found that professional women who are balancing the demands of work and families are more likely to quit their jobs for intrinsic reasons.

True

David, an employee at a manufacturing company, wanted to be promoted to the post of supervisor. His company offered an incentive of a weeklong fishing trip for high performers. This did not motivate David to perform well. This happened because the reward lacked ________.

Valence

________ is the value a person places on a reward.

Valence

Which of the following is true of an effective organizational climate? a) It encourages competent and rapid completion of tasks within deadlines. b) It is not influenced by the low morale of employees. c) It does not affect productivity and job performance. d) It promotes the Theory X management approach.

a) It encourages competent and rapid completion of tasks within deadlines.

Identify the esteem need. a) Reaching one's full potential b) Recognition from peers and colleagues c) Having an orderly way of life d) Acceptance from family and friends

b) Recognition from peers and colleagues

Which of the following is an example of a hygiene factor? a) Recognition of work b) Feelings of achievement c) Good relations with the supervisor d) Increased responsibility

c) Good relations with the supervisor

According to Herzberg's two-factor theory, hygienes

include a person's desire to avoid unpleasant working conditions.

An assumption underlying Maslow's theory is that

needs that are not yet satisfied will motivate or influence a person's behavior.

Morale is defined as the

overall mood of an individual or group, based on attitudes and satisfaction.

Antonio, an employee of a software company, has been trying hard to get promoted for a long time. He gives up on his efforts after two years and decides to remain satisfied with earning a decent living for his family. In terms of the ERG theory of motivation, this exemplifies

the frustration-regression principle.