Question

Reinforcement theory of motivation holds that behaviour is a function of its consequences and that behaviour can be shaped through positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, punishment and extinction. As a manager how could you use any two of the method to shape desirable behaviour from your employees (hint describe one scenario for each method)

Subject is Organisation behaviour

Answer 1

Positive Reinforcement.

Positive reinforcement states that when an employee acts in a desired manner or a required manner the acknowledgement towards them should also be positive. This will encourage them to continue or prefer this sort of behavior. Any employee who is rewarded for his behavior will have the desire to accomplish better in the future because of the positive results of doing so.

For example, when an employee is given the “Employee of the month” award for his hard work and achieving the best results, he is motivated to do better in the future.

Negative Reinforcement

Negative reinforcement states that when a negative or an unwanted obstruction is removed the employee is able to do better or achieve better. It means when anything that stops the employee from achieving his optimum level in his work is removed, he is motivated do better and is able to accomplish better.

For example, an employee lives far away from his office and has no personal vehicle. He has to catch the public transport for commuting back and forth the office. In this scenario suppose the public transport is available in the evening only at a certain time, the employee is forced to complete his work faster and leave the office to catch the public transport. However if he is provided with his own private vehicle or if he is allowed to carry his work to the home, he is able to complete his work as desired by him and this motivates him to do better.