Q.1 Which theory suggests that employees are motivated when they believe their effort will lead to good performance and rewards?
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Expectancy Theory
Equity Theory
Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory
Explanation - Expectancy Theory, proposed by Vroom, states that motivation is high when employees believe effort will lead to performance and performance will lead to rewards.
Correct answer is: Expectancy Theory
Q.2 According to Herzberg, which of the following is considered a motivator rather than a hygiene factor?
Salary
Company Policy
Recognition
Working Conditions
Explanation - Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory distinguishes motivators (intrinsic factors like recognition, achievement) from hygiene factors (salary, policy, conditions).
Correct answer is: Recognition
Q.3 Which type of reward focuses on non-monetary benefits such as recognition and career growth?
Extrinsic Rewards
Intrinsic Rewards
Tangible Rewards
Financial Rewards
Explanation - Intrinsic rewards include psychological satisfaction, recognition, and growth opportunities rather than material benefits.
Correct answer is: Intrinsic Rewards
Q.4 Equity Theory emphasizes which of the following as key to employee motivation?
Fairness of rewards
Achievement of goals
Financial compensation
Job security
Explanation - Equity Theory, developed by Adams, states that employees are motivated when they perceive fairness between their inputs and outcomes compared to others.
Correct answer is: Fairness of rewards
Q.5 What is the main focus of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in motivation?
Job satisfaction
Reward fairness
Fulfillment of human needs
Performance management
Explanation - Maslow’s model proposes a hierarchy of needs (physiological to self-actualization) that drive human motivation.
Correct answer is: Fulfillment of human needs
Q.6 Which of the following is an extrinsic reward?
Personal growth
Job satisfaction
Bonus pay
Sense of achievement
Explanation - Extrinsic rewards are tangible and external to the individual, such as salary, promotions, or bonuses.
Correct answer is: Bonus pay
Q.7 In Goal-Setting Theory, which characteristic of goals most strongly influences motivation?
Vague goals
Specific and challenging goals
Easy goals
Unmeasurable goals
Explanation - According to Locke and Latham, specific and challenging goals enhance motivation and performance compared to vague or easy ones.
Correct answer is: Specific and challenging goals
Q.8 The use of pay-for-performance systems is most directly linked to which motivational concept?
Intrinsic motivation
Expectancy theory
Social learning theory
Hierarchy of needs
Explanation - Pay-for-performance aligns with Expectancy Theory, where employees expect rewards for their efforts and performance.
Correct answer is: Expectancy theory
Q.9 Which theory suggests that satisfaction and dissatisfaction arise from different factors?
Maslow’s theory
Equity theory
Herzberg’s two-factor theory
Reinforcement theory
Explanation - Herzberg proposed that motivators (recognition, achievement) create satisfaction, while hygiene factors (salary, policies) prevent dissatisfaction.
Correct answer is: Herzberg’s two-factor theory
Q.10 What is the main principle of Reinforcement Theory in motivation?
Fair distribution of rewards
Needs fulfillment
Behavior is shaped by consequences
Challenging goals improve performance
Explanation - Reinforcement Theory (Skinner) explains that positive reinforcement, punishment, and rewards influence future behavior.
Correct answer is: Behavior is shaped by consequences
Q.11 Which motivational strategy emphasizes providing employees with autonomy and responsibility?
Job Enlargement
Job Rotation
Job Enrichment
Job Simplification
Explanation - Job enrichment adds responsibility, autonomy, and variety to enhance intrinsic motivation and satisfaction.
Correct answer is: Job Enrichment
Q.12 According to Self-Determination Theory, intrinsic motivation thrives when three needs are met: autonomy, competence, and ______.
Recognition
Relatedness
Security
Power
Explanation - Self-Determination Theory highlights autonomy, competence, and relatedness as key to intrinsic motivation.
Correct answer is: Relatedness
Q.13 Which of the following is an example of a tangible non-financial reward?
Bonus
Promotion
Recognition certificate
Salary increase
Explanation - Tangible non-financial rewards include items like plaques or certificates that recognize achievement without monetary value.
Correct answer is: Recognition certificate
Q.14 What is the key concept behind Equity Theory in the workplace?
Employees compare inputs and outputs with others
Employees work best when they feel autonomous
Employees need recognition to stay motivated
Employees prefer monetary rewards over intrinsic rewards
Explanation - Equity Theory emphasizes social comparison of input-output ratios to maintain fairness and motivation.
Correct answer is: Employees compare inputs and outputs with others
Q.15 Which type of motivation is driven by internal satisfaction rather than external rewards?
Extrinsic motivation
Intrinsic motivation
Social motivation
Financial motivation
Explanation - Intrinsic motivation comes from internal satisfaction such as enjoyment, achievement, or interest in the task.
Correct answer is: Intrinsic motivation
Q.16 In Expectancy Theory, what does the term 'valence' refer to?
The belief that effort will lead to performance
The belief that performance leads to outcomes
The value an individual places on a reward
The difficulty of achieving goals
Explanation - Valence refers to how desirable or valuable a reward is to the employee.
Correct answer is: The value an individual places on a reward
Q.17 Which of the following is an example of a short-term reward system?
Annual bonus
Pension benefits
Stock options
Career development program
Explanation - Short-term rewards like bonuses provide immediate reinforcement for performance, unlike pensions or stock options.
Correct answer is: Annual bonus
Q.18 McClelland’s Theory of Needs includes the need for achievement, need for power, and ______.
Need for autonomy
Need for affiliation
Need for security
Need for recognition
Explanation - McClelland’s theory identifies achievement, power, and affiliation as key drivers of motivation.
Correct answer is: Need for affiliation
Q.19 Which motivational approach focuses on linking rewards directly to specific behaviors?
Reinforcement Theory
Equity Theory
Maslow’s Theory
Self-Determination Theory
Explanation - Reinforcement Theory emphasizes using rewards and punishments to shape employee behavior.
Correct answer is: Reinforcement Theory
Q.20 Which of the following is an intrinsic motivator in the workplace?
Bonus pay
Praise from manager
Personal growth
Gift voucher
Explanation - Intrinsic motivators arise internally, such as learning, growth, and personal achievement.
Correct answer is: Personal growth
Q.21 In Maslow’s hierarchy, which need comes right after safety needs?
Physiological needs
Self-actualization needs
Esteem needs
Love and belonging needs
Explanation - Maslow’s hierarchy proceeds from physiological → safety → love/belonging → esteem → self-actualization.
Correct answer is: Love and belonging needs
Q.22 What is a potential drawback of excessive extrinsic rewards?
They increase intrinsic motivation
They can undermine intrinsic motivation
They improve job satisfaction
They always boost creativity
Explanation - Overreliance on extrinsic rewards can reduce intrinsic motivation, a phenomenon known as the overjustification effect.
Correct answer is: They can undermine intrinsic motivation
Q.23 Which motivational strategy involves periodically moving employees between jobs?
Job Enrichment
Job Simplification
Job Rotation
Job Enlargement
Explanation - Job rotation helps reduce monotony and develop diverse skills by rotating employees across roles.
Correct answer is: Job Rotation
Q.24 Which of the following best describes extrinsic rewards?
Rewards that come from personal satisfaction
Rewards that are external and tangible
Rewards focused on self-growth
Rewards that cannot be measured
Explanation - Extrinsic rewards include tangible benefits like pay, promotions, and bonuses.
Correct answer is: Rewards that are external and tangible
Q.25 Which motivational theory emphasizes the balance between effort, performance, and outcomes?
Equity Theory
Expectancy Theory
Reinforcement Theory
Maslow’s Theory
Explanation - Expectancy Theory explains that motivation depends on expectations of effort-performance-outcome relationships.
Correct answer is: Expectancy Theory