LEARNING

INTRODUCTION

• Definition: A relatively permanent change in behaviour that occurs

as a result of experience.
• Learning involves change.
• Change must become ingrained.
• Some form of experience is necessary for learning.
 PRINCIPLES OF
LEARNING
• Trainee must be motivated to learn.
• Information must be meaningful.
• Learning must be reinforced.
• Organisation of material.
• Feedback on learning.
 Significance of learning in OB

• Helps to understand and predict human behavior at work

• Helps to manage diversity
• Helps to maintain Total Quality Management
• Helps to adapt changing technology
• Facilities organizational change and development
 THEORIES OF LEARNING: CLASSICAL
CONDITIONING
• Ivan Pavlov

• Refers to learned behaviours that

occur when a neutral stimulus is
associated with a learned response.

• Also known as respondent

conditioning.

• It is a passive process.
 THEORIES OF LEARNING: OPERANT
CONDITIONING
• B F Skinner
• Refers to that specific consequences are
associated with voluntary behaviour.
• Gave the reinforcement theory.
• Also called instrumental conditioning.
• Promotes good choices and deters bad
choices.
• Motivation relies on choice rather than
instinct alone.
 THEORIES OF LEARNING:
SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY
• Extension of operant
conditioning
• Places importance on
existence of
observational
learning and
perception.
 THEORIES OF LEARNING:
SOCIAL COGNITIVE THEORY
• Albert Bandura
• Concept of reciprocal
determinism – mutual
interaction between an
individual’s behaviours,
personal factors, &
environmental influences.
 SHAPING: A MANAGERIAL TOOL
• Systematically reinforcing each successive step that moves an individual closer to
the desired response.
• Eliminating any reinforcement that is maintaining a behaviour is called extinction.
 SCHEDULES OF
REINFORCEMENT
 BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION: OB
• MOD
Behaviour modification: Approach that uses respondent and operant conditioning to change
behaviour.
• OB MOD: Application of reinforcement concepts to individuals in the work setting.

Five step problem solving model of OB MOD:

Develop and
Identify Identify Evaluate
Develop implement an
critical behavioural performance
baseline data intervention
behaviours consequences improvement
strategy
THANK YOU