Organizational Behavior:
Learning and Behavior
Modification
Definition of Learning
A relatively permanent change in behavior
(or behavior tendency) that occurs as a
result of a person’s interaction with the
environment.
Theories of Learning
• Classical Conditioning.
• Operant Conditioning.
- Law of effect.
• Social Learning ( Attention, Retention,
Reproduction, Reinforcement).
- Cognition, Insight
ConsequencesConsequences
What happensWhat happens
After behaviorAfter behavior
EmployeeEmployee
receivesreceives
attendanceattendance
bonusbonus
ExampleExample
A-B-Cs of Behavior Modification
BehaviorBehavior
What personWhat person
says or doessays or does
EmployeeEmployee
attendsattends
scheduledscheduled
workwork
AntecedentsAntecedents
What happensWhat happens
before behaviorbefore behavior
AttendanceAttendance
bonus systembonus system
is announcedis announced
Shaping Behavior: A Managerial Tool
• Positive Reinforcement.
• Negative Reinforcement.
• Punishment.
• Extinction.
Schedules of Reinforcement
Behaviors
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Continuous
Fixed ratio
Variable ratio
Fixed interval
Time (Days)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Variable interval
Job Behavior Modification
• Step 1: Identify Target behavior
• Step 2: Functionally Analyze the Situation
• Step 3: Arrange Antecedents and Provide
Consequences
• Step 4: Evaluate Results
Learning through Feedback
• Any information about consequences of our
behavior
• Clarifies role perceptions
• Corrective feedback improves ability
• Positive feedback motivates future behavior
Evaluated
Employee
Co-workerCo-worker
CustomerCustomer
SubordinateSubordinate
ProjectProject
leaderleader
SupervisorSupervisor
Co-workerCo-worker
SubordinateSubordinate
SubordinateSubordinate
Multi-Source (360 Degree)
Feedback
EffectiveEffective
FeedbackFeedback
SpecificSpecific
FrequentFrequent
TimelyTimely
RelevantRelevant
CredibleCredible
Giving Feedback Effectively
Other Key Terms
• Self-Management
• Learning Through Experience
• Action Learning

Learning& behavior-modification