MBA (FT) 1st Semester

2013-2015

Submitted By: - Shruti Pendharkar

CONTENTSIntroductionTypes Of LearningClassical ConditioningOperant ConditioningCognitive ProcessSocial LearningReinforcementApplications

DEFINATION

An individual reacts to any situation or responds to instructions in particular fashion, that fashion or style is caused due to learning.

Learning brings relatively permanent change in human behavior that occurs as a result of experience.

Learning is a lifelong process in which new behaviours are acquired.

We cannot see learning but we can see changed behavior as a consequence of learning..

Examples: Driving a vehicle An instant learning

THEORIES OF LEARNING

Learning

Reinforcement

Classical conditioning

Operant conditioning

Social learning

CLASSICAL CONDITIONING - BEHAVIORIST THEORY

“Classical conditioning can be defined as a process in which a formerly neutral stimulus when paired with an unconditional stimulus, becomes a conditioned stimulus that illicit a conditioned response.” (Luthans 1995)

Classical conditioning states that an event repeated several times results into desired response.

CONDITIONAL STIMULUS (CS)

CONDITIONAL RESPONSE (UR)

STIMULUS-RESPONSE

(SR)

IVAN PAVLOV’S THEORY

Ivan Pavlov a Russian psychologist introduced classical conditioning theory.

EXPERIMENT CONDUCTED: - Dog as a subject. STAGE ONE: -

presented meat (unconditional stimulus) to the dog. He noticed a great deal of salivation (unconditional response).

STAGE TWO : - he only rang up the bell (neutral stimulus), the dog had no

salivation. STAGE THREE: - accompanied the offering of meat to the dog along with ringing up

of bell. After doing this several times, Pavlov rang up only bell (without

offering of meat to the dog). This time the dog salivated to the ringing up of bell alone.

CONCLUSIONThe dog has become classically conditioned to

salivate (response) to the sound of the bell (stimulus). It will be seen that the learning can take place amongst animals based on stimulus – response (SR) connections. The study was undoubtedly single most famous study ever conducted in behavioral sciences. It was a major break through and had a lasting impact on understanding of learning.

OPERANT CONDITIONINGOperant conditioning deals with Response—

Stimulus (R-S) connection.concept originated by B.F. Skinner. states that “most human behavior operates based on

the environment.”Learning depends on what happens after the response

–THE CONSEQUENCESThe learning of voluntary behaviour through the

effects of pleasant and unpleasant responses.

Operant conditioning Description Outcome Example

Positive reinforcement

Add or increase a pleasant stimulus

Behavior is strengthened

Giving a student a prize after he gets

an A on a testNegative

reinforcementReduce or remove

an unpleasant stimulus

Behavior is strengthened Taking painkillers

that eliminate pain increases the likelihood that you

will take painkillers again

Positive punishment

Present or add an unpleasant

stimulus

Behavior is weakened

Giving a student extra homework

after she misbehaves in

classNegative

punishmentReduce or remove

a pleasant stimulus

Behavior is weakened

Taking away a teen’s computer after he misses

curfew

COGNITIVE THEORYCognitive ApproachEdward Tolman The theory consists of relationship

between environmental (cognitive) cues and expectations.

EXPERIMENT: -Subject was RATHe found that the rat could run through

critical path with particular intention of getting food (goal/objective).

This theory was later applied on human resources where incentives were related to higher performance.

SOCIAL LEARNINGBehavioral approach.

It deals with learning process based on direct observation and the experience.

Achieved while interacting with individuals.

people observe, alter and even construct a particular environment to fit in the social behavioral pattern.

It is practiced in organizations by observing various cultural, and social practices.

This phenomenon is distinctly visible in defense services where cadets opt for a particular regiment based on the performance of their instructors (role model).

In industrial organizations leader must display a role model so that subordinates copy the style of functioning.

PROCESS IN SOCIAL LEARNING

ATTENTION PROCESS

RETENTION PROCESS

MOTOR REPEODUCTION PROCESS

RE-INFORCMENT PROCESS

RE-ENFORCEMENT

APPLICATION OF LEARNING AND OBMODIFICATION

USE OF LOTTERIES TO REDUCE ABSENTEEISM: -Attractive prizes can be included in lottery.Absenteeism reduced to a large extent and workers

displayed a sense of responsibility that led to increased productivity and higher job satisfaction.

WORK PAY VR SICK PAY If sick leave can be converted in to payment of bonus up to

a certain extent, the employees would choose to avail of financial benefits and would not absent themselves under the pretext of being sick. This will improve satisfaction level of employees and would not hamper productivity.

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENTTrain to adapt to new working atmosphere.

MENTORING PROGRAMMERS: - Mentors need display model behavior so that subordinates

emulate them. Mentors should ensure to develop sense of responsibility amongst the subordinates who should be able to take higher jobs and work for the organization. They are expected to develop positive attitude towards subordinates. This can be achieved by full dedication on the part of both mentor and the trainee.

DISCIPLINE: - In organization be it production intensive or service sector,

managers should insist that all his subordinates strictly follow the timing of work, dress code, display courteous behaviour when interacting with others and accomplish their assigned task on time. Defaulters should be dwelt with strictly. Any lethargy in programme implementation will not bring behaviour modification.

SELF-MANAGEMENT: - Regulating various activities and achievement of personal as

well as organizational goals would be easier in an environment of self managed organizations.