Behaviour change 1 Flashcards
Who developed operant conditioning and when?
Skinner, 1938
What is the basic explanation of operant conditioning?
Operant conditioning is a process that attempts to modify behavior through the use of positive and negative reinforcement.
What does positive, negative, reinforcement and punishment mean separately?
. Positive’ means adding something
- ‘Negative’ means taking away something
. ‘Reinforcement’ is about increasing a behaviour
. ‘Punishment’ is about decreasing a behaviour
Whats positive punishment ?
Inflict something unpleasant e.g. shout at someone
Whats negative punishment?
remove something desired e.g. removal of a staff microwave because people don’t keep it clean
Whats positive reinforcement?
REWARD. give something desired e.g. bonuses for good performance/company car
Whats negative reinforcement?
RELIEF. take something away that is unpleasant e.g. bombarding someone with emails until they do the work you have asked them for
What are some examples of why behaviour is changed in the work place
Improve productivity Decrease lateness Decrease absenteeism Increase sales volumes Crate new business Improve worker safety Reduce theft by employees Reduce shoplifting Improve management-employee relations
What is the basic overview of behaviourism?
. The behaviourist approach focussed on observable behaviour NOT thoughts and feelings (psychological/cognitive states)
. nurture over nature
What does shaping behaviour mean in operant conditioning?
The gradual building up of behaviours by reinforcing successive approximations complex behaviour
What does generalisation mean in operant conditioning?
The tendency for responses similar to the original reinforced or conditioned response to be made in the conditioning situation
What does discrimination mean in operant conditioning?
The ability to distinguish between the conditions that will and won’t lead to reward / punishment
What does extinction mean in operant conditioning?
the disappearance of behaviour following withdrawal of reinforcement
What are the strengths of operant conditioning?
. can be used on all ages in all situations
. simple method
. good for people who are extrinsically motivated
. find other examples
What are the weaknesses of operant conditioning?
. can be unethical- trated as lab rats
. extinction-lack of long term change
. could reinforce wrong behaviour
. add more
Who came up with Organisational Behaviour Modification (OBMOD)and when?
Luthans and Kreitner, 1985
What is a summary of OBMod?
. Where the important behaviours needed for satisfactory work performance are identified and reinforcement principles are deployed to strengthen this behaviour
What are the 5 stages of OBMod
Identification Measurement Analysis Intervention Evaluation
Explain the identification stage of OBMod?
. Identify and name the critical behaviours
. Through discussion and observation
Specify desired behaviours or those to avoid
Explain the measurement stage of OBMod?
For the specific desired / undesired behaviours:
- Measure how often they occur currently.
- This gives you a baseline for later comparison
Explain the analysis stage of OBMod? ABC
Antecedents – causal event (what triggers the behaviour)
Behaviour – what we can observe someone do Consequences – what happens after the behaviour that will encourage / discourage repetition
Explain the intervention stage of OBMod
Design and implement Positive/Negative Reinforcement/Punishment
.Requires:
- Clear targets
- Observation / check-lists
- Feedback on performance against the target
Explain the evaluation stage of OBMod?
For the specific desired / undesired behaviours:
- Measure how often the occur currently and compare to the earlier baseline
What are the strengths of OBMod?
. Specific, objective and countable behaviours…
-Often used in areas such as Health & Safety – when the target behaviour is completely clear
