Human resource managementLesson 3 of 4 in the course Work Motivation for Performance

Process Theories of Motivation: Operant, Equity, Goal, and Expectancy Models

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

Process theories explain how people choose behaviors and decide how much effort to exert. This lesson introduces the four major process theories and explains operant conditioning as a learning process shaped by consequences.

Process theories of motivation focus on the mechanisms through which people select a target and decide how much effort to apply to reach it. The four major theories are operant conditioning, equity theory, goal theory, and expectancy theory. Each examines motivation from a different angle: consequences, fairness, goals, or expected results.

All flashcards

What is operant conditioning?
Learning in which consequences following voluntary behavior influence whether that behavior recurs.
What are the three parts of the operant conditioning model?
Stimulus, response, and consequence: a situation prompts an action, and what follows affects future behavior.
How does equity theory explain motivation?
Employees compare their perceived outcomes and inputs with those of a referent other.
What characterizes motivating goals in goal theory?
Goals are generally more motivating when they are difficult but attainable, specific, accepted, and supported by commitment.
What are the three components of expectancy theory?
Effort–performance expectancy, performance–outcome expectancy (instrumentality), and valence.

Quiz questions

  1. A worker receives reinforcement after every fifth qualifying sale. Which reinforcement schedule is being used?Answer: Fixed ratio
  2. An employee believes their coworker receives more outcomes relative to their inputs. What condition does the employee perceive?Answer: Underreward inequity
  3. In goal theory, what does goal commitment describe?Answer: A person's dedication to achieving an accepted goal.
  4. In expectancy theory, what is performance–outcome expectancy also called?Answer: Instrumentality
  5. What does management by objectives (MBO) do?Answer: Sets clear objectives and assesses progress toward them.

Based on Organizational Behavior by J. Stewart Black, David S. Bright, Donald G. Gardner, Eva Hartmann, Jason Lambert, Laura M. Leduc, Joy Leopold, James S. O’Rourke, Jon L. Pierce, Richard M. Steers, Siri Terjesen, Joseph Weiss (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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