ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR W W W. P R E N H A L L. C O M / R O B B I N S T E N T H E D I T I O N

Biographical Characteristics  Age – Q: Are older workers “better” or “worse” than younger workers in terms of performance?  Gender – Q: Any differences between male and female workers?  Marital Status – Q: So, should we hire only married employees?? Why? Why not?

Ability

Physical Ability

Ability-Job Fit The Ability-Job Fit Employee’s Abilities Job’s Ability Requirements

Learning Involves CHANGE Is relatively PERMANENT Is acquired through EXPERIENCE Learning Involves CHANGE Is relatively PERMANENT Is acquired through EXPERIENCE

Theories of Learning Key Concepts Unconditioned stimulus: “meat” Unconditioned response: “saliva” Conditioned response: “saliva” after bell Key Concepts Unconditioned stimulus: “meat” Unconditioned response: “saliva” Conditioned response: “saliva” after bell

Theories of Learning (cont’d) Key Concepts B.F. Skinner – behavior is learned Reinforcement is key Key Concepts B.F. Skinner – behavior is learned Reinforcement is key

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

Schedules of Reinforcement

Fixed-ratio

Intermittent Schedules of Reinforcement

Intermittent Schedules of Reinforcement (cont’d)

OB MOD Organizational Applications  Well Pay versus Sick Pay –Reduce absenteeism by rewarding attendance, not absence.  Employee Discipline –The use of punishment can be counter-productive.  Developing Training Programs –OB MOD methods improve training effectiveness.  Self-management –Reduces the need for external management control.

Summary  Employee age seems to have NO relationship to productivity.  Ability: directly influences an employee’s level of performance and satisfaction through the ability-job fit. An effective selection process (including a job analysis) will improve the fit. Promotion and transfer decisions *should* reflect the abilities of the candidates.  Learning Positive reinforcement is a powerful tool for managers Try to use reinforcement instead of punishment if you can Your employees learn from your behavior - think about your actions – you are a role model whether you realize it or not!