University of Central Florida (UCF) MAN4101 Human Relations Practice Exam

The chosen answer emphasizes positive reinforcement as the most effective strategy for encouraging behavior through rewards. Positive reinforcement involves providing a desirable outcome or incentive following a desired behavior, which strengthens the likelihood of that behavior being repeated in the future. This approach is based on the principle that behaviors followed by favorable consequences are more likely to be repeated.

For example, if a manager praises an employee for completing a task efficiently, that praise serves as a reward that encourages the employee to continue performing well. By consistently pairing positive outcomes with specific behaviors, individuals are motivated to repeat those behaviors, ultimately leading to higher performance and satisfaction in various settings, including the workplace.

The understanding of positive reinforcement is critical for fostering an environment where people feel recognized and motivated to improve and adapt their behavior positively. This contrasts sharply with the other options, which do not focus on rewards to promote behavior.