Question

The model of motivation called equity theory is based on which of the following ideas?

A) Employees accept that they will be treated unfairly in the workplace.
B) Employees are incapable of resolving feelings of injustice.
C) Employees want to see fairness in how they are rewarded for task performance.
D) Employees believe fairness is irrelevant in the workplace.

Answer 1

Equity theory is based on the idea that employees are motivated by fairness in reward for task performance. This is corroborated by various theories and research findings, such as efficiency wage theory and experiments dealing with perceived equity and motivation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The model of motivation called equity theory is predicated on the principle that employees want to see fairness in how they are rewarded for task performance. The theory suggests that individuals are motivated when they perceive that they are being treated equitably in comparison to others. For example, efficiency wage theory underscores that paying employees above market rates can lead to higher productivity as employees value the fairness in pay and would prefer to maintain their current positions rather than face a decline in wages elsewhere. It also minimizes the employer's costs related to training new employees. Furthermore, research by Deci (1972) highlights how perceived inequity can demotivate individuals, leading to a lack of engagement and even counterproductive behaviors.