Methods of Motivation

What is most closely the meaning of “operant conditioning” as it is used in the Counterpoint essay?

• A. Reinforcing positive behavior with food.

• B. Teaching a subject how to do a task through drills and repetition.

• C. Punishing bad behavior with negative consequences.

• D. Reinforcing behavior through a system of rewards and consequences to support learning.

Which of the following statements about motivation is best supported by the selection from the Point essay below (paragraph 10)?

The philosophy of Lehman Alternative Community School in Ithaca, New York, is to encourage “students to use freedom responsibly, and to make educational choices appropriate to their individual levels of development.” LACS long ago got rid of gold stars, stickers, and even most grades in favor of intrinsic motivation. At an All School Meeting every week, students make decisions on issues facing the school. They make choices about their courses of study and reflect on their learning and achievement. They complete community projects and take trips outside the classroom.

• A. Choice and intellectual freedom inspire a sense of investment in learning.

• B. Students are only motivated if they get to do whatever they want.

• C. Community projects help students see how lucky they are which fosters their motivation to do well in school.

• D. Students will be motivated to learn if they don’t have to worry about grades.

Which of the following scenarios best explains “stimulation-based intrinsic motivation” as it is described in the Point essay?

• A. You finished a tricky 9x9 KenKen puzzle.

• B. You learned French subjunctive conjugation in time for your trip to Paris.

• C. You baked your first pumpkin pie from scratch for Thanksgiving and it was delicious.

• D. Your uncle gave you $20 for mowing his lawn.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

The following passage from the Counterpoint essay (paragraph 16) mainly shows that ____

Skinner defined motivation in terms of such reinforcement, explaining that behavior that receives reinforcement will recur, and behavior that receives punishment will cease to occur. Reinforcement may be positive, as in the addition of something pleasant such as praise or treats. It may be negative, as in the removal of something unpleasant when a certain behavior occurs. Punishment, too, may involve application of something unfavorable or removal of something favorable.

• A. there is no direct correlation between incentives and learning

• B. although positive reinforcement works, it is relatively ineffective if it isn’t coupled with negative consequences

• C. the use of either positive or negative reinforcement is an effective teaching tool

• D. when a punishment is used to stop negative behavior, it makes the recipient feel ashamed and causes them to stop the behavior

What is most closely the central idea of the passage below from the Point essay (paragraphs 7–8)?

Shrewd employers refuse to tie every workplace achievement to an extrinsic reward. It would be expensive, and it might result in employees’ ceasing to work hard unless they anticipate some kind of remuneration. Instead, employers should emphasize the kinds of intrinsic motivation that make workers want to be productive.

Some businesses offer flexibility of scheduling and more autonomy, so that workers feel empowered to make choices and decisions. Some workplaces offer professional development that gives workers a feeling of accomplishment and appeals to their joy in learning. Others ensure that all staff are cognizant of the business’s goals and how each worker fits into the realization of those goals. Allowing opportunities for collaboration and interaction with others can appeal to workers’ stimulation-based motivation.

• A. There isn’t really any difference between tangible and intangible rewards, they all produce the same effect.

• B. Stimulation-based motivation is the most effective form of intrinsic motivation.

• C. When companies let their workers create their own schedule, they are happier and more likely to perform well.

• D. Companies are wise to implement practices that support their employees sense of intrinsic motivation.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

What is most closely the central idea of the following passage from the Counterpoint essay (paragraph 18)?

We have all seen the awe-inducing photographs of some of Silicon Valley’s most famous businesses—the day care centers, the state-of-the-art gyms, the meditation rooms and arcades, the free food and recording studios. Those businesses do not spend their money foolishly. They want to incentivize their workers to feel comfortable working long hours, and they know they are competing with other businesses that can offer good workers solid benefits, so they do their best to create an environment that is fun and playful and offers extrinsic motivation to stay and work. The usual benefits of dental insurance and two-week vacations seem old-fashioned as businesses strive to engage employees and ensure their loyalty.

• A. Wealthy businesses are more likely to have hard-working employees.

• B. Businesses that don’t offer perks can’t retain their employees.

• C. Businesses need to show they care about the comfort and well-being of their staff.

• D. Successful businesses spend money on their employees so they will stay and work hard.

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Which line from the text best supports the correct answer to Question 7?

• A. “The usual benefits of dental insurance and two-week vacations seem old-fashioned…”

• B. “...they are competing with other businesses that can offer good workers solid benefits,...”

• C. “Those businesses do not spend their money foolishly. They want to incentivize their workers to feel comfortable working long hours...”

• D. “...the day care centers, the state-of-the-art gyms, the meditation rooms and arcades, the free food and recording studios.”

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1