Chapter 5: Theories of Work Motivation
Exam with fully accurate answers
Why study motivation? - ANSWER-It is one of the most traditional topics in
organizational behaviour and it has interested managers, researchers, teachers and
sports coaches for years. Also has an increasing importance in contemporary
organizations.
What is Motivation? - ANSWER-The extent to which persistent effort is directed towards
a goal.
Characteristics of motivation - ANSWER-Effort, Persistence, Direction & Goals
Effort & Motivation - ANSWER-The strength of a person's work-related behaviour or the
amount of effort the person exhibits on the job.
Persistence & Motivation - ANSWER-Firm or obstinate continuance in a course of
action in spite of difficulty or opposition.
Direction & Motivation - ANSWER-Do workers channel persistent efforts in a direction
that benefits the organization?
Goals & Motivation - ANSWER-All motivated behaviour has some goal or objective
toward which it is directed. Employees can also be motivated by goals that are contrary
to objectives of the organization.
Intrinsic Motivation - ANSWER-Stems from the direct relationship between the worker
and the task and is usually self-applied (self-motivation).
, Intrinsic Motivators - ANSWER-Achievement, accomplishment, challenge, and
competence.
Extrinsic Motivation - ANSWER-Stems from the work environment external to the task
and is usually applied by someone other than the person being motivated.
External factors influencing performance - ANSWER-Personality, general cognitive
ability, task understanding, emotional intelligence, and chance.
Extrinsic Motivators - ANSWER-Pay, fringe benefits, company policies, and various
forms of supervision.
Relationship between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation - ANSWER-Some research
shows that extrinsic motivators can reduce intrinsic motivation. When extrinsic rewards
depend on performance, then the motivating potential of intrinsic rewards decreases.
Making extrinsic rewards contingent on performance makes individuals feel less
competent and in control of their own behaviour, they begin to believe their performance
is controlled by the environment.
Performance - ANSWER-The extent to which an organizational member contributes to
achieving the objectives of the organization.
Motivation & Performance - ANSWER-While motivation contributes to performance, the
relationship is not perfect because there are many other factors also affecting
performance.
General Cognitive Ability - ANSWER-A person's basic information-processing capacities
and cognitive resources. It reflects an individual's overall abilities such as verbal,
numerical, spatial and reasoning abilities that are required to perform mental tasks.
Exam with fully accurate answers
Why study motivation? - ANSWER-It is one of the most traditional topics in
organizational behaviour and it has interested managers, researchers, teachers and
sports coaches for years. Also has an increasing importance in contemporary
organizations.
What is Motivation? - ANSWER-The extent to which persistent effort is directed towards
a goal.
Characteristics of motivation - ANSWER-Effort, Persistence, Direction & Goals
Effort & Motivation - ANSWER-The strength of a person's work-related behaviour or the
amount of effort the person exhibits on the job.
Persistence & Motivation - ANSWER-Firm or obstinate continuance in a course of
action in spite of difficulty or opposition.
Direction & Motivation - ANSWER-Do workers channel persistent efforts in a direction
that benefits the organization?
Goals & Motivation - ANSWER-All motivated behaviour has some goal or objective
toward which it is directed. Employees can also be motivated by goals that are contrary
to objectives of the organization.
Intrinsic Motivation - ANSWER-Stems from the direct relationship between the worker
and the task and is usually self-applied (self-motivation).
, Intrinsic Motivators - ANSWER-Achievement, accomplishment, challenge, and
competence.
Extrinsic Motivation - ANSWER-Stems from the work environment external to the task
and is usually applied by someone other than the person being motivated.
External factors influencing performance - ANSWER-Personality, general cognitive
ability, task understanding, emotional intelligence, and chance.
Extrinsic Motivators - ANSWER-Pay, fringe benefits, company policies, and various
forms of supervision.
Relationship between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation - ANSWER-Some research
shows that extrinsic motivators can reduce intrinsic motivation. When extrinsic rewards
depend on performance, then the motivating potential of intrinsic rewards decreases.
Making extrinsic rewards contingent on performance makes individuals feel less
competent and in control of their own behaviour, they begin to believe their performance
is controlled by the environment.
Performance - ANSWER-The extent to which an organizational member contributes to
achieving the objectives of the organization.
Motivation & Performance - ANSWER-While motivation contributes to performance, the
relationship is not perfect because there are many other factors also affecting
performance.
General Cognitive Ability - ANSWER-A person's basic information-processing capacities
and cognitive resources. It reflects an individual's overall abilities such as verbal,
numerical, spatial and reasoning abilities that are required to perform mental tasks.
