WGU C715 Organizational Behavior Exam (Latest
2026/2027) – Complete Review, Practice Questions
& Study Guide | Guaranteed Pass
60 questions | application-heavy | managerial focus
Section 1: Individual Behavior & Motivation
Q1. A high-performing analyst begins arriving late and submits rushed reports. When
asked, she says, “No matter how creative my solutions are, the VP posts the same
generic ‘Great job, team!’ on Slack. Why bother?” Which motivation theory is most
directly at play?
A) McClelland’s need for power
B) Expectancy theory—low instrumentality
C) Herzberg’s hygiene factors
D) Goal-setting theory—specificity deficit
Correct: B
Rationale: Expectancy theory (Vroom) predicts effort when instrumentality—belief that
performance will be rewarded—is high. Here, low instrumentality (generic praise
regardless of creativity) reduces effort. Herzberg (C) would focus on dissatisfiers (pay,
conditions), not recognition quality. McClelland (A) is irrelevant; goal specificity (D) is
not the issue.
,Q2. SATA. Which three statements accurately reflect components of emotional
intelligence as defined by Goleman? (Select 3.)
A) Self-awareness—recognizing one’s own emotions
B) Empathy—sensing others’ emotions
C) Conscientiousness—being organized and careful
D) Social skills—managing relationships
E) Extroversion—gaining energy from people
Correct: A, B, D
Rationale: Goleman’s EI domains: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy,
social skill. Conscientiousness (C) is Big-Five, not EI; extroversion (E) is personality trait.
Q3. A sales rep believes his recent bonus was smaller than deserved because “the boss
favors people who went to her alma mater.” This is an example of:
A) Fundamental attribution error
B) Self-serving bias
C) Halo effect
D) Confirmation bias
Correct: B
Rationale: Self-serving bias attributes failure externally (boss’s bias) to protect
self-esteem. Fundamental attribution error (A) would over-emphasize internal causes for
,others’ behavior. Halo (C) is generalizing one trait; confirmation (D) is seeking
supporting data.
Q4. Ordered Response. Place Maslow’s hierarchy in order from lowest to highest need.
1. Esteem
2. Self-actualization
3. Safety
4. Physiological
5. Love/belonging
Correct order: 4 → 3 → 5 → 1 → 2
Q5. A manager sets a goal: “Increase client satisfaction scores by 15 % within two
quarters by adding weekly check-in calls.” According to Locke’s Goal-Setting Theory,
which element is most likely to enhance performance?
A) The goal is challenging but attainable
B) The goal is assigned without participation
C) The metric is qualitative
D) Feedback is delayed until year-end
Correct: A
Rationale: Specific, challenging yet attainable goals raise effort. Participation (B) helps
commitment but is secondary. Quantitative (C) is better than qualitative; delayed
feedback (D) weakens effect.
Q6. A software engineer with high need for achievement is offered two projects:
, ● Project A: 50 % chance of creating a market-leading app with public recognition.
● Project B: 90 % chance of minor bug fixes, low visibility.
McClelland predicts the engineer will choose:
A) Project A—high achievers prefer moderate risk with clear feedback
B) Project B—high achievers avoid risk
C) Project A—high achievers are gamblers
D) Project B—recognition is irrelevant
Correct: A
Rationale: nAch individuals seek moderate (≈50 %) risk and performance feedback (A).
They avoid low risk (boring) and high risk (gambling).
Q7. A nurse feels burnt out after 12-hour shifts. Management adds break-room
massage chairs and free healthy meals. Burnout slightly improves. These interventions
are best classified as:
A) Motivators in Herzberg’s two-factor theory
B) Hygiene factors in Herzberg’s two-factor theory
C) Intrinsic rewards
D) Growth needs in ERG
Correct: B
2026/2027) – Complete Review, Practice Questions
& Study Guide | Guaranteed Pass
60 questions | application-heavy | managerial focus
Section 1: Individual Behavior & Motivation
Q1. A high-performing analyst begins arriving late and submits rushed reports. When
asked, she says, “No matter how creative my solutions are, the VP posts the same
generic ‘Great job, team!’ on Slack. Why bother?” Which motivation theory is most
directly at play?
A) McClelland’s need for power
B) Expectancy theory—low instrumentality
C) Herzberg’s hygiene factors
D) Goal-setting theory—specificity deficit
Correct: B
Rationale: Expectancy theory (Vroom) predicts effort when instrumentality—belief that
performance will be rewarded—is high. Here, low instrumentality (generic praise
regardless of creativity) reduces effort. Herzberg (C) would focus on dissatisfiers (pay,
conditions), not recognition quality. McClelland (A) is irrelevant; goal specificity (D) is
not the issue.
,Q2. SATA. Which three statements accurately reflect components of emotional
intelligence as defined by Goleman? (Select 3.)
A) Self-awareness—recognizing one’s own emotions
B) Empathy—sensing others’ emotions
C) Conscientiousness—being organized and careful
D) Social skills—managing relationships
E) Extroversion—gaining energy from people
Correct: A, B, D
Rationale: Goleman’s EI domains: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy,
social skill. Conscientiousness (C) is Big-Five, not EI; extroversion (E) is personality trait.
Q3. A sales rep believes his recent bonus was smaller than deserved because “the boss
favors people who went to her alma mater.” This is an example of:
A) Fundamental attribution error
B) Self-serving bias
C) Halo effect
D) Confirmation bias
Correct: B
Rationale: Self-serving bias attributes failure externally (boss’s bias) to protect
self-esteem. Fundamental attribution error (A) would over-emphasize internal causes for
,others’ behavior. Halo (C) is generalizing one trait; confirmation (D) is seeking
supporting data.
Q4. Ordered Response. Place Maslow’s hierarchy in order from lowest to highest need.
1. Esteem
2. Self-actualization
3. Safety
4. Physiological
5. Love/belonging
Correct order: 4 → 3 → 5 → 1 → 2
Q5. A manager sets a goal: “Increase client satisfaction scores by 15 % within two
quarters by adding weekly check-in calls.” According to Locke’s Goal-Setting Theory,
which element is most likely to enhance performance?
A) The goal is challenging but attainable
B) The goal is assigned without participation
C) The metric is qualitative
D) Feedback is delayed until year-end
Correct: A
Rationale: Specific, challenging yet attainable goals raise effort. Participation (B) helps
commitment but is secondary. Quantitative (C) is better than qualitative; delayed
feedback (D) weakens effect.
Q6. A software engineer with high need for achievement is offered two projects:
, ● Project A: 50 % chance of creating a market-leading app with public recognition.
● Project B: 90 % chance of minor bug fixes, low visibility.
McClelland predicts the engineer will choose:
A) Project A—high achievers prefer moderate risk with clear feedback
B) Project B—high achievers avoid risk
C) Project A—high achievers are gamblers
D) Project B—recognition is irrelevant
Correct: A
Rationale: nAch individuals seek moderate (≈50 %) risk and performance feedback (A).
They avoid low risk (boring) and high risk (gambling).
Q7. A nurse feels burnt out after 12-hour shifts. Management adds break-room
massage chairs and free healthy meals. Burnout slightly improves. These interventions
are best classified as:
A) Motivators in Herzberg’s two-factor theory
B) Hygiene factors in Herzberg’s two-factor theory
C) Intrinsic rewards
D) Growth needs in ERG
Correct: B
