CAIE A-Level Psychology A2 4.1.3 Motivators At Work Questions

Award 1 mark for an outline of the term/concept.
Award 1 marks for applying the term/concept to an example of a source of stress.
Example:
Definition - The nomothetic approach in psychology establishes
generalisations or laws which apply to all people. (1)
Possible examples from Deci and Ryan -
This theory would suggest that all workers are motivated by the need for achievement, specifically the need to experience intrinsic motivation. (1)
This theory would suggest that all workers are motivated by their psychological needs for competence, autonomy, and relatedness. (1)
Employees that receive a reward in an informational way will lead to the employee experiencing greater intrinsic motivation and this will lead to
increased performance quality. (1)
Other appropriate responses should also be credited.

2

Example 3 is from the Key study by Landry.

Award 2 marks for a detailed explanation of the strength in context. Award 1 mark for a basic outline/identification of the strength.

Weaknesses may include:

- Good applications to everyday life. Organisations can use this theory to motivate their workers through competence, autonomy and/or relatedness.

- Scientific approach - shows cause and effect relationships. The general law about the cause of motivation can be tested scientifically.

- General laws are established through doing studies on large groups so good generalisability of the findings.

Example:

One strength of the nomothetic approach is that it has good applications to everyday life and can help organisations increase motivation. (1)

For example, employers can offer rewards to their employees for meeting targets and explain these rewards are to show their appreciation for their hard work which encourages autonomy. (1)

Other appropriate responses should also be credited.

2