CPM Motivation Theories & Employee Engagement 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which motivation theory suggests that individuals are motivated by three core psychological needs: competence, autonomy, and relatedness?
- Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory
- Self-Determination Theory (Correct answer)
- Goal-Setting Theory
- Reinforcement Theory
Correct answer: Self-Determination Theory
Self-Determination Theory (SDT), developed by Deci and Ryan, proposes that competence, autonomy, and relatedness are universal psychological needs driving intrinsic motivation.
Question 2: According to Locke and Latham's Goal-Setting Theory, which characteristic of goals is MOST associated with higher performance?
- Goals that are broad and flexible
- Goals set entirely by senior management
- Goals that are specific and challenging (Correct answer)
- Goals with no performance feedback
Correct answer: Goals that are specific and challenging
Research by Locke and Latham consistently shows that specific, challenging goals produce higher performance than vague or easy goals.
Question 3: A manager uses praise and recognition immediately after an employee completes a task correctly. This approach is BEST described as:
- Negative reinforcement
- Punishment
- Positive reinforcement (Correct answer)
- Extinction
Correct answer: Positive reinforcement
Providing praise immediately after a desired behavior is positive reinforcement, which increases the likelihood that the behavior will be repeated.
Question 4: Which of the following is a key indicator of high employee engagement as measured in organizational research?
- Employees who comply with all rules but rarely volunteer extra effort
- Employees who actively look for new jobs but remain productive
- Employees who invest discretionary effort and advocate for the organization (Correct answer)
- Employees who avoid conflict and maintain neutrality
Correct answer: Employees who invest discretionary effort and advocate for the organization
Engaged employees are characterized by discretionary effort (doing more than required) and organizational advocacy, distinguishing them from merely satisfied or compliant workers.
Question 5: A CPM candidate is designing a recognition program. Which motivational principle suggests that recognition is most effective when it is immediate and specific?
- Equity Theory
- Reinforcement Theory (Correct answer)
- ERG Theory
- Two-Factor Theory
Correct answer: Reinforcement Theory
Reinforcement Theory emphasizes that the timing and clarity of reinforcement determine its effectiveness; immediate and specific feedback maximizes the reinforcement effect.
Question 6: In McClelland's Acquired Needs Theory, a high need for affiliation (nAff) is MOST likely to cause problems in which managerial role?
- Strategic planner
- Team facilitator
- Disciplinary decision-maker (Correct answer)
- Employee coach
Correct answer: Disciplinary decision-maker
High nAff managers may avoid delivering difficult feedback or disciplinary actions to preserve relationships, which can undermine their effectiveness in a disciplinary role.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes 'job enrichment' as a motivational strategy?
- Adding more tasks of similar difficulty to an employee's role
- Rotating employees through different departments regularly
- Increasing an employee's responsibility, autonomy, and opportunities for growth (Correct answer)
- Offering higher pay to retain top performers
Correct answer: Increasing an employee's responsibility, autonomy, and opportunities for growth
Job enrichment, rooted in Herzberg's motivator factors, increases the depth of a role by adding responsibility, autonomy, and growth opportunities rather than simply more tasks.
CPM Motivation Theories & Employee Engagement 2
Which motivation theory suggests that individuals are motivated by three core psychological needs: competence, autonomy, and relatedness?