Reference no: EM132706432

1. None of the Simpsons is feeling very motivated. For each of the following scenarios, indicate whether the motivation problem concerns low expectancy, low instrumentality, or low valence (choose one), and briefly explain your choice.

-Expectancy: Does the person perceive that if he exerts effort, he will be able to perform the work successfully?

-Instrumentality: Does the person perceive that outcomes are likely to be obtained if she performs successfully?

-Valence: Does the person desire the outcomes that would result from successful performance?

-Bart earns minimum wage as a stock clerk. If he does his job well, he could very possibly get his picture and name posted in the store as the Employee of the Month. Bart's a high school student and his hunch is that if his friends see his picture on the wall of the store, he'll get teased about it mercilessly.

2. Homer became a social worker because he wanted to change the world. He works with kids from dysfunctional families and knows that he could make a big difference in their lives if only he could spend enough time with them. But it's hard to do a good job-government funds have been cut and staffing at the human services department is minimal. Homer's caseload is so large that he can only deal with crises that come up, and maybe spend five minutes per week checking in by phone with some of the kids who are assigned to him.

3. Lisa accepted a job with a large software development firm in part because the company offered plenty of opportunity for promotion. Lisa's feeling bitter though. She's noticed that the best workers aren't getting promoted-it's the "networkers" who are.

4. Marge is 61 years old and is looking forward to retirement in a few years. Her company has recently reorganized and she is now a member of a self-managed work team. Because the team has little supervision, the members are responsible for all decisions related to production processes, quality control, budgeting, inventory control, hiring and firing, etc., for the specialty item that they produce. After all of her years in the company, Marge certainly knows how to do these things. But her view is that these activities mostly benefit younger employees who appreciate being given more responsibility and a chance to make a name for themselves. Marge would rather not be bothered with the extra work-she just wants to ride out her time until retirement.

5. Maggie is new to her company and is hoping to get the respect of her boss, Mr. Burns. She knows that he compliments other people for a job well done, but all he ever seems to do is criticize her. She feels like she doesn't even know what he is looking for.