8/18/2019 Chp 9 Assessment activities - issues for discussion and practice.pdf

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Assessment activities

Issues for discussion and practice

1. Explain, by means of practical examples, how external and internal activation can

facilitate purposive behaviour.

2. “Motivation is a self -sustaining process through which the individual expresses his/herinner self.” Explain this statement with reference to relevant motivational concepts.

3. Jean worked as a junior accountant in a large company that had obvious hierarchicalboundaries between juniors and partners. As a junior, she had a narrow range ofactivities, no challenge and limited supervision. She felt that her work was of littlesignificance to the company as a whole, that she was not getting enough experienceto get to the top, and she felt bored. Jean then resigned and found an appointment in

a smaller firm. There she was held responsible and accountable for various activities,and her supervisors recognised her inputs, but also her lack of inputs, which they didnot denigrate, but handled with constructive advice as to how to improve. Jean wassoon offered a partnership.

Explain which external activators were conducive to Jean’s success. 

4. Petros has worked in a large chemical firm for several years. Through experiencehis knowledge is equal to that of fresh graduates in chemistry. He, like them,knows how to analyse the quality of cement, or of steel, and how it must conformto specified standards. The company’s formal policy is to promote employees

according to qualifications. Petros has reached the ceiling of his promotionalfacility because he does not have a degree. His co-workers with degrees arepromoted although he and they are equal in ability. Petros becomes apathetic,denying his hurt. Next he becomes angry  –  he complains vehemently to hismanager that organisational structures are unfair to experienced employees suchas himself. He bangs his fists on the manager’s table and slams the door. After afew of these episodes, he becomes gloomy and depressed. Eventually thingsimprove a bit when Petros’s manager manages to have merit increases, basedon performance, instituted.

Explain how anger functions in Petros’s case, and indicate how the steps in the

emotion process apply to the intensity of his feelings.

5. Explain how and why goal-setting is involved in individual’s intentions toachieve something. Why do some individuals show little interest and othersmore interest in the same event?