Learning
Learning
Definitions: Learning
“The relatively permanent change in a
person’s knowledge or behavior due to
experience”.
(Mayer, 1982)
Learning
Learning
••Involves
Involveschange
change
••IsIsrelatively
relativelypermanent
permanent
••IsIsacquired
acquiredthrough
throughexperience
experience
2–3
Theories of Learning
1.Classical Conditioning Theory
-Confined to observable and measurable
behavior
A stimulus is presented
in order to get a response:
S R
Classical Conditioning
Classical Conditioning - Pavlov
S US
UR
CS US
CR
Operant Conditioning Theory of Learning
By Skinner
A type of conditioning in which desired voluntary
behavior leads to a reward or prevents a
punishment.
Key
KeyConcepts
Concepts
••Reflexive
Reflexive(unlearned)
(unlearned)behavior
behavior
••Conditioned
Conditioned(learned)
(learned)behavior
behavior
••Reinforcement
Reinforcement
2–8
Operant Conditioning
••Attentional
Attentionalprocesses
processes
••Retention
Retentionprocesses
processes
••Motor
Motorreproduction
reproductionprocesses
processes
••Reinforcement
Reinforcementprocesses
processes
Attentional Processes
Retention Processes
A model’s influence depends on how well the
individual remembers the model’s action after
the model is no longer readily available.
Motor Reproduction Processes
Key
KeyConcepts
Concepts
••Reinforcement
Reinforcementisisrequired
requiredto
tochange
changebehavior.
behavior.
••Some
Somerewards
rewardsare
aremore
moreeffective
effectivethan
thanothers.
others.
••The
Thetiming
timingof
ofreinforcement
reinforcementaffects
affectslearning
learning
speed
speedand
andpermanence.
permanence.
Types of Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement
◦ Providing a reward for a desired behavior.
Negative reinforcement
◦ Removing an unpleasant consequence when the
desired behavior occurs.
Punishment
◦ Applying an undesirable condition to eliminate
an undesirable behavior.
Extinction
◦ Withholding reinforcement of a behavior to
cause its cessation.
Schedules of Reinforcement
Continuous Reinforcement
A desired behavior is reinforced each time
it is demonstrated.
Intermittent Reinforcement
A desired behavior is reinforced often
enough to make the behavior worth
repeating but not every time it is
demonstrated.
Schedules of Reinforcement (cont’d)
Fixed-Interval Schedule
Rewards are spaced at uniform time
intervals.
Variable-Interval Schedule
Rewards are initiated after a fixed or
constant number of responses.
Behavior Modification
OB Mod
The application of reinforcement
concepts to individuals in the work
setting.
Five
FiveStep
StepProblem-Solving
Problem-SolvingModel
Model
1.1. Identify
Identifycritical
criticalbehaviors
behaviors
2.2. Develop
Developbaseline
baselinedata
data
3.3. Identify
Identifybehavioral
behavioralconsequences
consequences
4.4. Develop
Developand
andapply
applyintervention
intervention
5.5. Evaluate
Evaluateperformance
performanceimprovement
improvement
OB MOD Organizational Applications
Well Pay versus Sick Pay
◦ Reduces absenteeism by rewarding attendance, not absence.
Employee Discipline
◦ The use of punishment can be counter-productive.
Self-management
◦ Reduces the need for external management control.
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