o r g a n i z a t i o n a l b e h a v i o r

Dr Humeira J. Abidi

Session 2, Ability, Learning and Reinforcement

2–1© Dr Humeira J. Abidi

© Dr Humeira J. Abidi 2–2

After studying this chapter,you should be able to:1. Define the key biographical characteristics.2. Identify two types of ability.3. Shape the behavior of others.4. Distinguish between the four schedules of

reinforcement.5. Clarify the role of punishment in learning.6. Practice self-managementL

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Biographical Characteristics

Biographical CharacteristicsPersonal characteristics—such as age, gender, and marital status—that are objective and easily obtained from personnel records.

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Ability, Intellect, and Intelligence

AbilityAn individual’s capacity to perform the various tasks in a job.Intellectual AbilityThe capacity to do mental activities.

Multiple IntelligencesIntelligence contains four subparts: cognitive, social, emotional, and cultural.

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• Number aptitude• Verbal comprehension• Perceptual speed• Inductive reasoning• Deductive reasoning• Spatial visualization• Memory

Dimensions ofIntellectual Ability

E X H I B I T 2–1

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Physical Abilities

Physical AbilitiesThe capacity to do tasks demanding stamina, dexterity, strength, and similar characteristics.

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Other Factors7. Body coordination8. Balance9. Stamina

Nine Physical Abilities

Strength Factors1. Dynamic strength2. Trunk strength3. Static strength4. Explosive strength Flexibility Factors

5. Extent flexibility6. Dynamic flexibility

E X H I B I T 2–2

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Ability-JobFit

The Ability-Job Fit

Employee’sEmployee’sAbilitiesAbilities

Job’s AbilityJob’s AbilityRequirementsRequirements

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Learning

Learning• Involves change• Is relatively permanent• Is acquired through experience

LearningAny relatively permanent change in behavior that occurs as a result of experience.

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Theories of Learning

Key Concepts• Unconditioned stimulus• Unconditioned response• Conditioned stimulus• Conditioned response

Classical ConditioningA type of conditioning in which an individual responds to some stimulus that would not ordinarily produce such a response.

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Theories of Learning (cont’d)

Operant ConditioningA type of conditioning in which desired voluntary behavior leads to a reward or prevents a punishment.

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Theories of Learning (cont’d)

Key Concepts• Attentional processes• Retention processes• Motor reproduction processes• Reinforcement processes

Social-Learning TheoryPeople can learn through observation and direct experience.

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Theories of Learning (cont’d)

Key Concepts• Reinforcement is required to change behavior.• Some rewards are more effective than others.• The timing of reinforcement affects learning

speed and permanence.

Shaping BehaviorSystematically reinforcing each successive step that moves an individual closer to the desired response.

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Types of Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement– Providing a reward for a desired behavior.

Negative reinforcement– Removing an unpleasant consequence when the

desired behavior occurs. Punishment

– Applying an undesirable condition to eliminate an undesirable behavior.

Extinction– Withholding reinforcement of a behavior to

cause its cessation.

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Schedules of Reinforcement (cont’d)

Fixed-ratio

E X H I B I T 2–4

Thank you!

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