Reinforcement Theory/

Behaviour Modification Theory

of Learning
By: Sanchita Khantwal
Behavior Modification Theory
• Behavior modification refers to the techniques used to try and
decrease or increase a particular type of behavior or reaction.
• This might sound very technical, but it's used very frequently by all of
us. Parents use this to teach their children right from wrong.
• Therapists use it to promote healthy behaviors in their patients.
Animal trainers use it to develop obedience between a pet and its
owner.
• We even use it in our relationships with friends and significant others.
Our responses to them teach them what we like and what we don't
• Behavior modification relies on the concept of conditioning.
• Conditioning is a form of learning.
• There are two major types of conditioning; classical conditioning and
operant conditioning.
• Classical conditioning relies on a particular stimulus or signal. An
example of this would be if a family member came to the kitchen every
time you baked cookies because of the delicious smell.
• The second type is known as operant conditioning, which involves using
a system of rewards and/or punishments. Dog trainers use this
technique all the time when they reward a dog with a special treat after
they obey a command.
• Behavior modification was developed from these theories because
they supported the idea that just as behaviors can be learned, they
also can be unlearned.
• As a result, many different techniques were developed to either
assist in eliciting a behavior or stopping it. This is how behavior
modification was formed
Various Techniques of Behavior Modification
• Positive Reinforcement
• Negative Reinforcement
• Punishment
• Extinction
Positive Reinforcement
• Positive reinforcement is a reward you give to an employee when
they display desirable behavior
• Positive reinforcement encourages the employee to continue to
display this desirable behavior
• Examples of positive reinforcement rewards include financial
bonuses, praise etc
Negative Reinforcement
• Negative reinforcement also uses rewards
• An employee is rewarded for desirable behavior by having something
unpleasant removed
• For example in case a new team member has joined and everyday you
are checking what they have done in the day before the person leaves
for home
• After one month of good behavior you change this checking system
and do it just once per month and not everyday
• The removal of daily monitoring is the reward
Punishment
• Punishment happens when you use negative consequences in the
workplace to stop team members from undesirable behavior
• For example, issuing an employee with a written warning for use of
foul language is an example of punishment
• Punishment is different from negative reinforcement as punishment
is giving something negative, whereas negative reinforcement is the
taking away of something negative
Extinction
• Extinction refers to stopping someone’s learned behavior
• You can extinguish a behavior by withholding the positive
reinforcement that led to that behavior in the first place
• In other words, extinction implies lowering the probability of an
undesired behavior by removing reward for that kind of behavior
Reinforcement Theory
• As per this theory behavior is the function of its consequences
• The reinforcement theory of motivation is based on the “Law of
Effect” concept
• It means that an individual is likely to repeat those actions having the
positive consequences, and will avoid those behaviors that result in
negative or unpleasant outcomes
• The reinforcement theory lay emphasis on the environmental factors
that shape the behaviors
• Skinner believed that environment external to the organization must
be designed effectively so as to increase the motivation among the
employees
Reinforcement Theory of Motivation ( BF
Skinner)

• Reinforcement theory pays focus on the impact of external

environment consequences on behavior
• Law of Effect – The impact of type of consequence on the behavior
• Operant Conditioning
• Applies law of effect to control behavior by manipulating its
consequences
• The probability of behavior increases if it is followed by a reward or
reinforcement and decreases if it is followed by a punishment
• Positive Reinforcement - Increases the frequency of a behavior
through the contingent presentation of a pleasant consequence
• Negative Reinforcement - Increases the frequency of a behavior
through the contingent removal of an unpleasant consequence
• Punishment -Decreases the frequency of a behavior through the
contingent presentation of an unpleasant consequence
• Extinction - Decreases the frequency of a behavior through the
contingent removal of an pleasant consequence.
Driving forces encourage good
behavior, whereas restraining forces
aim to limit or stop a poor behavior
Positive Reinforcement
• Positive reinforcement is a reward you give to an employee when
they exhibit desirable behavior
• Positive reinforcement encourages the employee to continue to
exhibit this desirable behavior
• Examples of positive reinforcement rewards include financial
bonuses, praise etc
Negative Reinforcement
• Negative reinforcement also uses rewards
• An employee is rewarded for desirable behavior by having something
unpleasant removed
• For example in case a new team member has joined and everyday you
are checking what they have done in the day before the person leaves
for home
• After one month of good behavior you change this checking system
and do it just once per month and not everyday
• The removal of daily monitoring is the reward
Punishment
• Punishment happens when you use negative consequences in the
workplace to deter or stop team members from undesirable
behavior
• For example, issuing an employee with a written warning for use of
foul language is an example of punishment
• Punishment is different from negative reinforcement as punishment
is giving something negative, whereas negative reinforcement is the
taking away of something negative
Extinction
• Extinction refers to stopping someone’s learned behavior
• You can extinguish a behavior by withholding the positive
reinforcement that led to that behavior in the first place
• In other words, extinction implies lowering the probability of an
undesired behavior by removing reward for that kind of behavior