Question

Explain how reinforcement theory works and how it can be used to motivate.

Answer 1

Reinforcement Theory of motivation aims to achieve the desired level of motivation among the employees by means of punishment, reinforcement and extinction. Reinforcement approach, which can be both negative and positive, is used to reinforce the desired behavior among employees. Punishment acts as a hinderance to undesirable behaviors of employees. Extinction refers to reducing the probability of undesirable behavior of employees.

This theory is based upon the concept of “Law of Effect”, that is, the behavior of an employee towards positive consequences tends to repeat, but the behavior of an employee towards negative consequences tends not to repeat.

Behavior that draws out consequences is known as the operant behavior and the reinforcement theory of motivation works on the relationship between the operant behavior and its associated consequences. This process is called the Operant Conditioning and change in the behavior of an individual is caused due to the reinforcement that is given after the response. This theory of motivation completely focuses on what happens to an employee when he takes any action. It is not related to the internal state of an employee,i.e., inner feelings and drives of an employee are ignored. Therefore, the external environment of an organization must be designed positively and effectively so as to motivate the employees of the organization. This theory is a strong analyzing tool and acts as an controlling mechanism for individual’s behavior.

Following are the methods that control the behavior of the employees in an organization:

• Positive Reinforcement − Positive reinforcement explains that when an employee shows a positive behavior, the response towards them must be positive as it stimulates the occurrence of a behavior. Rewarding an employee who performs well reinforces his desire to perform better because of the positive results of doing so.

• Negative Reinforcement − Negative reinforcement takes place when certain obstructions are removed and the employees responds to a desired behavior after its removal. For example, an employee who commutes from a long distances can complete a few projects faster than expected; but, if the employee is told by the manager to take the projects home for a few days and complete them, it stimulates him to work as expected. The desired behavior is reinforced by removing the negative stimuli.

• Punishment − Punishment refers to removing positive consequences or imposing negative consequences with a view to preventing employees from repeating undesirable and uncalled for behaviors. Therefore, it can be both positive and negative.

• Extinction − Extinction refers to ending or destroying a learned behavior by withholding a positive reinforcement or reward that encourages the behavior.