WGU C484 Organizational Behavior
Exam 2025/2026 Updated 70 Questions with
Verified Correct Answers and Expert
Rationales
Question 1
What is the primary focus of organizational behavior (OB)?
A. Financial performance analysis
B. Understanding individual and group behavior in organizations
C. Product development strategies
D. Market expansion planning
B. Understanding individual and group behavior in organizations
Rationale: Robbins and Judge’s 2025 OB framework defines OB as the study of how people
interact within groups to improve organizational effectiveness. A, C, and D are unrelated
disciplines.
Question 2
Which theory explains motivation through a hierarchy of needs?
A. Equity theory
B. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
C. Expectancy theory
D. Two-factor theory
B. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
Rationale: Maslow’s 2025 theory posits needs progress from physiological to self-actualization.
Equity (A) focuses on fairness, expectancy (C) on effort-reward links, two-factor (D) on
motivators/hygiene.
Question 3
What is a key characteristic of a group in OB?
A. Individuals working independently
B. Two or more people interacting to achieve a common goal
C. A single leader making decisions
D. Temporary project assignments only
,B. Two or more people interacting to achieve a common goal
Rationale: McShane and Von Glinow’s 2025 OB text defines groups as interdependent members
with shared objectives. A lacks interaction, C is autocratic, D limits scope.
Question 4
Which component of attitude includes feelings or emotions?
A. Cognitive
B. Affective
C. Behavioral
D. Perceptual
B. Affective
Rationale: Robbins and Judge’s 2025 model: attitudes have cognitive (beliefs), affective
(emotions), and behavioral (actions) components. Perceptual (D) is not an attitude component.
Question 5
What does emotional intelligence (EI) in the workplace enhance?
A. Technical skills
B. Ability to manage emotions and relationships
C. Financial forecasting
D. Operational efficiency
B. Ability to manage emotions and relationships
Rationale: Goleman’s 2025 EI framework includes self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and
social skills, improving workplace interactions. A, C, D are unrelated.
Question 6
In Herzberg’s two-factor theory, which are motivators?
A. Salary and company policies
B. Achievement and recognition
C. Working conditions
D. Job security
B. Achievement and recognition
Rationale: Herzberg’s 2025 theory: motivators (intrinsic, e.g., achievement) drive satisfaction;
hygiene factors (A, C, D) prevent dissatisfaction.
Question 7
Which stage of group development involves conflict over roles?
A. Forming
B. Storming
, C. Norming
D. Performing
B. Storming
Rationale: Tuckman’s 2025 model: storming involves conflict as members establish roles.
Forming (A) is orientation, norming (C) cohesion, performing (D) productivity.
Question 8
What is the primary source of legitimate power in an organization?
A. Expertise
B. Formal position or authority
C. Personal charisma
D. Access to information
B. Formal position or authority
Rationale: French and Raven’s 2025 power bases: legitimate power stems from organizational
roles. A is expert, C referent, D informational.
Question 9
Which motivational theory focuses on fairness in rewards?
A. Goal-setting theory
B. Equity theory
C. Self-determination theory
D. Expectancy theory
B. Equity theory
Rationale: Adams’ 2025 equity theory emphasizes perceived fairness in input-outcome ratios. A
focuses on goals, C autonomy, D effort-reward links.
Question 10
What is groupthink?
A. Collaborative decision-making
B. Conformity leading to flawed decisions
C. Independent critical thinking
D. Task delegation
B. Conformity leading to flawed decisions
Rationale: Janis’s 2025 groupthink model: excessive cohesion suppresses dissent, causing poor
decisions. A is ideal, C opposite, D unrelated.
Question 11
Exam 2025/2026 Updated 70 Questions with
Verified Correct Answers and Expert
Rationales
Question 1
What is the primary focus of organizational behavior (OB)?
A. Financial performance analysis
B. Understanding individual and group behavior in organizations
C. Product development strategies
D. Market expansion planning
B. Understanding individual and group behavior in organizations
Rationale: Robbins and Judge’s 2025 OB framework defines OB as the study of how people
interact within groups to improve organizational effectiveness. A, C, and D are unrelated
disciplines.
Question 2
Which theory explains motivation through a hierarchy of needs?
A. Equity theory
B. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
C. Expectancy theory
D. Two-factor theory
B. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
Rationale: Maslow’s 2025 theory posits needs progress from physiological to self-actualization.
Equity (A) focuses on fairness, expectancy (C) on effort-reward links, two-factor (D) on
motivators/hygiene.
Question 3
What is a key characteristic of a group in OB?
A. Individuals working independently
B. Two or more people interacting to achieve a common goal
C. A single leader making decisions
D. Temporary project assignments only
,B. Two or more people interacting to achieve a common goal
Rationale: McShane and Von Glinow’s 2025 OB text defines groups as interdependent members
with shared objectives. A lacks interaction, C is autocratic, D limits scope.
Question 4
Which component of attitude includes feelings or emotions?
A. Cognitive
B. Affective
C. Behavioral
D. Perceptual
B. Affective
Rationale: Robbins and Judge’s 2025 model: attitudes have cognitive (beliefs), affective
(emotions), and behavioral (actions) components. Perceptual (D) is not an attitude component.
Question 5
What does emotional intelligence (EI) in the workplace enhance?
A. Technical skills
B. Ability to manage emotions and relationships
C. Financial forecasting
D. Operational efficiency
B. Ability to manage emotions and relationships
Rationale: Goleman’s 2025 EI framework includes self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and
social skills, improving workplace interactions. A, C, D are unrelated.
Question 6
In Herzberg’s two-factor theory, which are motivators?
A. Salary and company policies
B. Achievement and recognition
C. Working conditions
D. Job security
B. Achievement and recognition
Rationale: Herzberg’s 2025 theory: motivators (intrinsic, e.g., achievement) drive satisfaction;
hygiene factors (A, C, D) prevent dissatisfaction.
Question 7
Which stage of group development involves conflict over roles?
A. Forming
B. Storming
, C. Norming
D. Performing
B. Storming
Rationale: Tuckman’s 2025 model: storming involves conflict as members establish roles.
Forming (A) is orientation, norming (C) cohesion, performing (D) productivity.
Question 8
What is the primary source of legitimate power in an organization?
A. Expertise
B. Formal position or authority
C. Personal charisma
D. Access to information
B. Formal position or authority
Rationale: French and Raven’s 2025 power bases: legitimate power stems from organizational
roles. A is expert, C referent, D informational.
Question 9
Which motivational theory focuses on fairness in rewards?
A. Goal-setting theory
B. Equity theory
C. Self-determination theory
D. Expectancy theory
B. Equity theory
Rationale: Adams’ 2025 equity theory emphasizes perceived fairness in input-outcome ratios. A
focuses on goals, C autonomy, D effort-reward links.
Question 10
What is groupthink?
A. Collaborative decision-making
B. Conformity leading to flawed decisions
C. Independent critical thinking
D. Task delegation
B. Conformity leading to flawed decisions
Rationale: Janis’s 2025 groupthink model: excessive cohesion suppresses dissent, causing poor
decisions. A is ideal, C opposite, D unrelated.
Question 11
