Unit 3 (Part A): Learning

Deepa Kumari

deepakumari@hotmail.com

Learning Objectives Discuss what is learning and what is its impact

in the context of Organizational Behavior. Understand various theories of learning

1. Learning Any relatively permanent change in

behavior that occurs as a result of experience. Therefore learning involves the following:

1. It involves change2. It is relatively permanent3. It is largely acquired through experience.

2. Theories of Learning Classical conditioning Operant conditioning Shaping Social-learning theory

2.1. Theories of Learning: Classical Conditioning A type of conditioning in which an

individual responds to some stimulus that would not ordinarily produce such a response. Some key words that will explain the concept in a better way:

1. Unconditioned stimulus2. Unconditioned response3. Conditioned response4. Conditioned stimulus

2.1. A Cartoon Depicting The Same.

2.1. Experiment of Classical Conditioning Pavlovian conditioning is also known as

classical and as respondent conditioning. The concept and related conditioning techniques were developed by the Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov. Pavlov's work with dogs is well-known. Dog owners are still trained today in the use of classical conditioning methods. If you show meat to a dog, it will produce saliva. The meat is the stimulus, the saliva is the response. The meat is an unconditioned stimulus (US), because the dog salivates naturally. Similarly, the saliva is an unconditioned response (UR). Unconditioned responses are also called reflexes.

2.1. Experiment of Classical Conditioning Contd., Suppose we now stop giving meat to the dog after

the bell. The dog will continue to salivate at the sound of the bell alone. But, if we continue to do this, the association between the conditioned stimulus and conditioned response eventually suffers extinction.

It may be mentioned here that the conditioned response may also be invoked by stimuli similar to the original conditioned stimulus, such as a bell with a different pitch. This phenomenon is called stimulus generalization. A complementary phenomenon, stimulus discrimination, can also be demonstrated by conditioning the dog to salivate at a hell of one pitch, but not at another.

2.2. Experiments of Operant Conditioning Skinnerian conditioning is also known as instrumental

and as operant conditioning. It was discovered by the American psychologist B.F. Skinner. Instrumental conditioning demonstrates how new behaviors or responses become established through association with particular stimuli. Given a particular context, any behavior that is rewarded or reinforced will tend to be repeated in that context. Skinner put a rat into a box (now known as a `Skinner box') with a lever inside which, when pressed, gave the animal food. The rat was not taught to press the lever. However, in the process of wandering around the box, the rat eventually nudges the lever. That random behavior is reinforced with food and it is likely to happen again.

2.2. Experiments of Operant Conditioning Skinnerian conditioning is also called instrumental

conditioning because it is related to behaviors that are instrumental in getting some material reward.

Skinner's rat thus has to be under the influence of some drive before it can be conditioned in this way. His rats are hungry when they went into his box and their behavior led to a desired reward. Skinner argued that animals and humans do behave in the absence of specific stimuli. In fact, most human behavior is of this kind, according to Skinner. Behaviors emitted. in the absence of identifiable stimuli are called operants. Operant conditioning explains how new patterns of behavior become established.

2.3. Behavior Modification Using Operant Conditioning or Shaping Behaviorism has led to the development of

the technique of behavior modification or shaping. Behavior modification is a technique for encouraging desired behaviors and discouraging unwanted behaviors using operant conditioning. It includes positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, punishment and extinction.

2.4. Social Learning. Socialization is the process through which an

individual's pattern of behavior and their values, attitudes and motives are influenced to conform with those seen as desirable in a particular organization, society or sub-culture. For example, when people join an organization of any kind, they give up some personal freedom of action. Thus, they concede that the organization may make demands on their time and effort, as long as these demands are perceived to be legitimate. Other members of the organization have to teach new recruits what is expected of them.

.

References Robbins, S.P. (2001). Organisational Behaviour

(9th edition). Delhi: Pearson Education.