Process Theories of Motivation

Question 1

what are process theories of motivation

Answer 1

focus on how people become motivated - try to explain why behaviours are initiated/ how we choose a target and the effort that we exert to reach it

Question 2

What are the four major process theories of motivation?

Answer 2

1. operant conditions
2. equity
3. goal
4. expectancy

Question 3

what is operant conditioning (process theory of motivation)

Answer 3

idea that people will do things that they are rewarded for and avoid things they are punished for

reinforcement
- occurs when a consequence makes it more likely that the response will be repeated in the future

extinction
- occurs when a result makes it less likely that the answer will be repeated in the future

fixed ratio and variable ratio

Question 4

what are fixed ratio/ variable ratio and what process theory are they related to?

Answer 4

operant conditioning

fixed ratio = uses a fixed number of responses that must be exhibited before reinforcement (schedules reinforcement)

variable ratio = uses a fixed average number of responses that must be displayed (people don’t know when they will be rewarded)

Question 5

equity (process theory of motivation)

Answer 5

motivation affected by the outcomes we receive for our inputs compared to other people’s outcomes and inputs

state of equity is when individual’s outcome to input ratio is the same as others’

perceiver over-reward equity
perceived under-reward equity

Question 6

what is perceived over-reward equity and what process theory of motivation is it a part of?

Answer 6

equity theory

exists when the person’s ratio is greater than the referent’s ratio (of outcome-to-input)

Question 7

what is perceived under-reward equity and what process theory of motivation is it a part of?

Answer 7

equity theory

exists when the person’s ratio is less than the referent’s (outcome-to-input ratio)

results in feelings of dissatisfaction, anger, and motivation to change to produce a state of perceived equity

Question 8

goal (process theory of motivation)

Answer 8

people will attempt to achieve those goals that they intend to achieve

difficult goals result in better performance than easy goals

specific goals are better than vague goals

people must accept and commit to whatever goals they have

when we do not achieve our goals we way be reluctant to set goals in the future

Question 9

expectancy (process theory of motivation)

Answer 9

people will exert high levels to perform at high levels to obtained valued outcomes

focuses on direction and intensity

when faced with to or more alternatives, a person will select the most attractive –> greater the attraction, greater the motivation

reflect the assumption of rationality:
- effort performance expectancy
- performance-outcome expectancy

extrinsic and intrinsic outcomes

Question 10

what is effort performance expectancy and which process theory of motivation does it relate to?

Answer 10

expectancy

perceived probability that the effort will lead to performance

weak E1s
- believe that no amount of effort will lead to high performance

strong E1s
- believe that high performance will result from high effort

Question 11

what is performance-outcome expectancy and what process theory of motivation does it relate to?

Answer 11

expectancy

weak E2s
- believe that there is a weak link between performance and outcome

strong E2s
- believe that there is a strong link between performance and outcome/ development

Question 12

what are valences and which process theory of motivation do they relate to?

Answer 12

expectancy

= the degree to which you perceive an outcome as being desirable, neutral, or undesirable

positively valent = highly desirable

negatively valent = highly undesirable

Question 13

extrinsic vs intrinsic outcomes and which process theory of motivation they relate to

Answer 13

Expectancy

extrinsic outcomes
- others determine whether outcomes are received

intrinsic outcomes
- people determine whether they receive outcomes themselves

Question 14

what are some implications for managers regarding the expectancy process theory of motivation

Answer 14

strengthen effort-performance expectancy by selecting employees with the right abilities, and provide proper training and role expectations

ensure that workers experience appropriate outcomes for the performance (provide extrinsic rewards and design jobs to provide intrinsic rewards)