Learning, Memory, & Intelligence
Week 3: Learning, Memory, & Intelligence - Homework
1) Distinguish between operant conditioning, observational learning, and social learning. How are these different kinds of learning utilized in the work place? Give specific examples for each one.
Operant conditioning is a type of learning that occurs when rewards and punishments are used to teach voluntary, or chosen, behavior. Created by B.F. Skinner, this is based on the observation, analyzation, and the ability to measure behaviors exhibited outwardly by an organism, instead of unobservable thoughts or events that occur in the mind. The goal is to increase a behavior by reinforcement, or to discourage it completely by use of punishment, after it is exhibited. Reinforcement and punishment are key to operant conditioning and we can utilize these concepts into the workplace in many different ways. For instance, an employee is reprimanded for being late more times than allowed, and is fired. The employee gets a new job and makes an extra effort to ensure punctuality. This scenario lays out punishment by application, because the behavior of being late was weakened (extra effort to be punctual) by the consequence of being fired, which was added to the situation. So, lets say the employee’s extra effort is by setting an alarm clock in order to make it to work on time and keep his boss happy. By avoiding upsetting the boss, this scenario reflects negative reinforcement. Thorndike’s law of effect can fit here as well, as this theory states behaviors followed by satisfying consequences tend to be repeated, in this case, setting of the alarm and being on time every work day keeps his boss happy. Now the employee is punctual and exudes great work ethic, the boss is happy with the employee’s performance and promotes him. By adding a pleasurable consequence, this reflects positive reinforcement. Finally, in response to the employee making a huge mistake, and costing the company thousands of dollars, the boss
1) Distinguish between operant conditioning, observational learning, and social learning. How are these different kinds of learning utilized in the work place? Give specific examples for each one.
Operant conditioning is a type of learning that occurs when rewards and punishments are used to teach voluntary, or chosen, behavior. Created by B.F. Skinner, this is based on the observation, analyzation, and the ability to measure behaviors exhibited outwardly by an organism, instead of unobservable thoughts or events that occur in the mind. The goal is to increase a behavior by reinforcement, or to discourage it completely by use of punishment, after it is exhibited. Reinforcement and punishment are key to operant conditioning and we can utilize these concepts into the workplace in many different ways. For instance, an employee is reprimanded for being late more times than allowed, and is fired. The employee gets a new job and makes an extra effort to ensure punctuality. This scenario lays out punishment by application, because the behavior of being late was weakened (extra effort to be punctual) by the consequence of being fired, which was added to the situation. So, lets say the employee’s extra effort is by setting an alarm clock in order to make it to work on time and keep his boss happy. By avoiding upsetting the boss, this scenario reflects negative reinforcement. Thorndike’s law of effect can fit here as well, as this theory states behaviors followed by satisfying consequences tend to be repeated, in this case, setting of the alarm and being on time every work day keeps his boss happy. Now the employee is punctual and exudes great work ethic, the boss is happy with the employee’s performance and promotes him. By adding a pleasurable consequence, this reflects positive reinforcement. Finally, in response to the employee making a huge mistake, and costing the company thousands of dollars, the boss