Posted: September 13th, 2017

MOTIVATION CASE

MOTIVATION CASE

INSTRUCTIONS
Students must individually answer the questions presented in each case study in a 3-4 page double-spaced paper that will be turned in via Moodle (using turnitin.com). Please do not exceed the four-page limit. You have to write in full sentences that are grammatically correct. You can choose to treat it as an essay, where you would have an intro, body, and conclusion, or you could just answer the questions from one to three in paragraph format. Please use 12 point font and standard one-inch margins. Students will be graded on grammar, integration of key course concepts, and thoroughness of responses to the questions posed in the case. You are expected to apply course content to answer the case questions. If you use outside sources, you need to cite them properly using a referencing style such as APA or MLA. If you want to use material from the book or the lectures, please paraphrase. Do not just copy and paste sentences. You do not need to cite the lecture or the book, however. This case will be worth 10%. The case study must be completed individually. No late assignments will be accepted. The case will be due in two weeks from the lecture date.

Video Case—”Dick Learns About Tipping”
First, before attempting to answer the questions below, make sure you have completed the assigned readings from Motivation, that you have your notes from the class lecture on Motivation, and that you have read the premise of the TV show provided in the next paragraph. You should then watch the video case in Moodle, “Dick Learns About Tipping” from the TV comedy series 3rd Rock From The Sun.

Plot Summary
Aliens have come to Earth to learn about our customs and norms. These aliens have taken the human form to avoid detection, which gives them customary physical needs and human emotions, without understanding what these needs and emotions mean. Their leader, Dick Solomon (John Lithgow) accepts the position of a college professor. Their Information Officer Tommy (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), who is the oldest of the group, has the body of a teenager and plays Dick’s son. Security Officer Sally (Kristen Johnston) plays Dick’s sister and Communications Officer Harry (French Stewart) play their brother (Brawn, IMDB).

In this episode “Sex and the Sally,” (Episode 7 from Season 5), Dick Solomon, the alien High Commander, while having dinner in a restaurant with his girlfriend Mary Albright (Jane Curtain) attempts to understand, and even improve on the process of tipping. Unfortunately he has not had the advantage of taking CSUN’s MGT 360 course and therefore does not understand how to apply basic theories of human motivation. From what you have learned in the reading assignments for chapters 7 & 8, and from our discussions in class, answer the following questions about the actions of the characters in this video case. You will probably find that you need to watch the video case multiple times in order to clearly identify how specific behaviors of the characters reflect various components of different motivation theories we have studied.

As a reminder, the eight motivation theories discussed in the book and class are:
1 Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
2 Alderfer’s ERG Theory
3 Herzberg’s Two-factor Theory
4 McClelland’s Acquired Needs Theory
5 Equity Theory
6 Expectancy Theory
7 Reinforcement Theory
8 Goal Setting Theory

Answer all of the following questions:
1. Selecting from the motivation theories above, choose two of the theories that you think best explain Dick Solomon’s attempts to motivate the waitress. Be explicit in linking how both Dick’s and the waitress’ specific behaviors and comments relate to the specific aspects of each theory and how that theory explains why Dick’s strategy was either successful or not. Common sense explanations are not sufficient; you have to explain it using the theories.

2. Using a motivation theory different from the ones you used in the first question, which motivation theory could Dick use to increase the success of his attempts to motivate the waitress? Explain in detail again linking specific aspects of each theory to the situation.

3. Use equity theory and reinforcement theory to explain what you think influenced Tommy and Harry’s behaviors in front of the fast food restaurant. Take into account their explanation to Dick right after they get home.