Answer to Question #270962 in Management for Cheena

Question

Nikita is a Change Manager with Nelson & Murdock. In the view of the way the business landscape is evolving with more reliance on technology, she intends to bring about many new initiatives which require employees to unlearn certain aspects and learn many new approaches. Many learning theories have been prevalent which organizations use from time to time.

a. If employees need to learn certain model behaviors demonstrated by leaders, which learning theory should Nikita select for faster results?

b. How does learning through reinforcement bring about behavior modification in employees?

Answer 1

a) Nikita should choose cognitive psychology as the most influential learning theory for faster results. The theory deals with mental processes such as attention, language use, memory, perception, problem solving, creativity, and reasoning and this will be helpful as employees are no longer seen as collections of responses to environmental stimuli, as behaviorists understand them, but as information processors, according to the idea.

b) A continuous reinforcement schedule rewards desired behavior every time it occurs. For example, a manager could praise or pay employees every time they perform properly. Compared to continuous schedules, partial reinforcement schedules lead to slower learning but stronger retention. In reinforcement, the rate of the target behavior is increased by giving a reward that is positive reinforcement or by removing an unpleasant stimulus that is negative reinforcement immediately or shortly after each occurrence of the behavior. A common positive-reinforcement technique is the incentive program, a formal scheme used to promote or encourage specific actions, behaviors, or results from employees over a defined period of time. Incentive programs can reduce turnover, boost morale and loyalty, improve wellness, increase retention, and drive daily performance among employees. Motivating staff will in turn help business outcomes and increase efficiency. Managers are responsible for identifying what behaviors should be promoted and what should be discouraged and must carefully consider organizational objectives in this process.