Answer to Question #177258 in Sociology for AMIT VIKAS MALKAR

Question

Essex Enterprises is a renowned logistics company which has spread its operations in 7 countries across the globe. They are recognized as the best learning organization due to their policies and processes and systems. One of the reasons for their success is that they have successfully applied the Reinforcement Theory of Learning since their inception.

a. Why is Reinforcement Theory also called as Behaviour Modification Theory? (5 Marks)

b. How can reinforcement be administered effectively? 

Answer 1

(a) Reinforcement theory is also known as the behavior modification theory because it deals with shaping and controlling the behavior and its consequences. The reinforcement theory primarily is associated with rewarding or punishing the unruly behaviors in business enterprises. Behavior modification theory is concerned with the reinforcement that is positive or negative depending on behavior portrayed by an employee.

Additionally, the reinforcement theory identifies an employer's behavior and the consequences that follow. For the individual behaviors that positive, they are repeated while the negative face consequences and is stopped. The behavior modification theory analyzes and controls the employees individual behaviors although not concerned with course of the individual behaviors among the employees. In a business setting, reinforcement theory enables the employees learn the good behaviors and doo away with the wrong ones.

(b)

Through negative reinforcement - negative reinforcement does not necessarily meaning punishing them e.g. when an employee who is on probation, they can be promoted due to their good work. in most instances the negative reinforcement is upheld to remove the negative nature of the work in an enterprise.

Reinforcement through a punishment- in a business enterprise punishment is administered depending on the behavior that is undesired. For instance, a worker who is lazy and reports to work late may be paid less money which will encourage the employees to report to work early. Other punishments include; probation, demotion, scolding etc.

Extinction as a reinforcement model - this kind of punishment is administered to employees with undesirable behaviors during meeting. An employee removing positive reinforcement will result to the extinction of the undesirable behaviors for the enterprise's development.

Positive reinforcement - this implies the rewarding of employees when workers portray a required individual behavior. Giving reward is a positive reinforce that will motivate the entire workforce for the development of the enterprise.