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Difficulty: Very hardCommand of Evidence: Textual

In a study of remote workplace dynamics, organizational psychologist Dr. Valeria Rossi investigated the impact of 'micro-rewards'—small, digital tokens of recognition—on employee performance. Rossi hypothesized that while these rewards initially increase engagement, their frequent use eventually undermines intrinsic motivation, particularly for complex, creative tasks. However, she proposed that this negative effect is mitigated when the rewards are peer-nominated rather than system-generated, as peer recognition reinforces a sense of social connectedness that sustains motivation. Which choice, if true, would most directly support Rossi's hypothesis?

  1. A
    Remote workers tasked with routine data entry tasks reported that system-generated digital badges kept their motivation high over a six-month period, but those who received peer-nominated badges did not report any change in their feelings of connection to their colleagues.
  2. B
    A survey of remote employees revealed that companies utilizing peer-nominated micro-rewards had higher overall retention rates than companies utilizing system-generated rewards, regardless of whether the employees' primary job duties were creative or administrative.
  3. In a study of remote software developers, those who received frequent automated system badges for creative coding projects showed a gradual decline in task persistence over six months, whereas those whose coding badges were nominated and awarded by colleagues maintained high persistence and reported a strong sense of team belonging.Answer
  4. D
    In an experimental trial, employees who received peer-nominated rewards for creative tasks performed them faster than those who received system-generated rewards, but both groups reported identical levels of intrinsic motivation and social connectedness at the end of the trial.

Answer

The choice that describes remote software developers maintaining high task persistence and reporting a strong sense of team belonging when receiving peer-nominated badges rather than system-generated badges.
The option describing remote software developers is correct because it aligns perfectly with all aspects of Dr. Rossi's hypothesis. It shows a decline in task persistence (undermined intrinsic motivation) on creative coding projects (complex, creative tasks) when system-generated badges are used, but demonstrates that this decline is prevented when the badges are peer-nominated. Additionally, it highlights that these developers reported a strong sense of team belonging, directly supporting the proposed mechanism of social connectedness.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the passage to identify the researcher's core hypothesis and its key variables.
Dr. Rossi's hypothesis contains three elements: (1) frequent micro-rewards reduce intrinsic motivation for complex, creative tasks; (2) peer-nominated rewards prevent this reduction; and (3) peer rewards succeed by fostering social connectedness.
Breaking down the hypothesis into distinct operational variables ensures that the correct answer matches all aspects of the researcher's argument.
2
Evaluate the options to find one that demonstrates all components of the hypothesis in action.
The option concerning remote software developers matches all parts: creative coding (complex, creative task), decline in persistence under system badges (undermining of intrinsic motivation), sustained persistence under peer badges (mitigation), and team belonging (social connectedness).
To provide the most direct support, the evidence must match both the negative effects, the mitigating condition, and the underlying mechanism described by the researcher.
3
Eliminate the remaining distractors based on scope, relevance, or contradiction.
The option about data entry tests simple rather than complex tasks. The option about retention is too broad and ignores task type. The option showing identical motivation levels directly contradicts the hypothesis's claim.
Ensuring that wrong answers fail on specific, identifiable logical misalignments with the text confirms the uniqueness of the correct key.

Key Concept

Command of Evidence: Textual
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