Management chapter 12

content theories

A group of theories that assume that workers are motivated by the desire to satisfy needs and that seek to identify what their needs are.

fixed interval schedule

A pattern of reinforcement at specified periods of time, regardless of behavior.

fixed ratio schedule

A pattern offering reinforcement after a specified number of desired performance behaviors, regardless of the time elapsed between them.

variable ratio

A pattern whereby the number of behaviors required for reinforcement is varied.

variable interval schedule

A pattern whereby the period of reinforcement varies between one reinforcement and the next.

expectancy

A person's expectation that effort will lead to high performance.

instrumentality

A person's expectation that performing a task will lead to a desired outcome.

process theory

A set of theories that try to determine "how" and "why" employees are motivated to perform.

expectancy theory

A theory stating that motivation depends not only on how much a person wants something but also on the person's perception of how likely he or she is to get it.

equity theory

A theory stating that the extent to which people are willing to contribute to an organization depends on their assessment of the fairness of the rewards they will receive in exchange.

behavior modification

An application of reinforcement theory, which involves change in behavior and encouraging appropriate actions by relating the consequences of behavior to the behavior itself.

The birth of the human relations approach to motivation can be traced to

Hawthorne studies

avoidance

The act of strengthening a desired behavior by allowing individuals to avoid negative consequences by performing the behavior.

positive reinforcement

The act of strengthening a desired behavior by rewarding it or providing other positive outcomes.

punishment

The act of weakening or eliminating an undesired behavior by providing negative consequences.

valence

The value of each potential outcome which describes its importance.

motivational factors

Those aspects of a job that relate to the content of the work, including achievement, recognition, the work itself, involvement, responsibility, and advancement.

maintenance factors

Those aspects of a job that relate to the work setting, including adequate wages, comfortable working conditions, fair company policies, and job security.

extinction

Weakening an undesired behavior by not providing positive consequences.

frederick taylor

analyzed jobs to improve efficiency.

reinforcement theory

behavior can be reinforced by relating it to its consequences

It is interesting that in certain industries, such as the hotel industry, service personnel

dislike increased empowerment

What term describes a theory stating that the extent to which people are willing to contribute to an organization depends on their assessment of the fairness of the rewards they will receive in exchange?

equity

Sue wants to be warm, but she is not; she has a

need

An employee's confidence that he or she can perform a task or behavior successfully is called

self-efficacy

What is the theory that states that employees learn not only through direct experience but also through observation and personal qualities?

social learning theory

flextime

A work schedule that allows employees to choose their starting and ending times as long as they are at work during a specified time period