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Reinforcement theory (Connect, Perform) Version 1) Aida has implemented two reinforcement plans to see which is most effective

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Reinforcement theory (Connect, Perform)

Version 1)

Aida has implemented two reinforcement plans to see which is most effective. In one, employees are given a gift card after every month of perfect attendance. The other plan involves a system where gift cards are again given to employees, but after a month of perfect attendance during which the employee spends $25.00 at the company cafeteria.

 

The first reinforcement plan is an example of the ------------ schedule of reinforcement.

If both plans prove to be effective, which strategy would you suggest Aida implement to effectively change employee behavior?

 

                Continue with the second plan since it will benefit both your cafeteria and employees, even if there is employee backlash.

                Continue with the first plan since it is the least complicated of the two.

                Either plan is fine, but try to increase the amount of time between giving rewards, motivating employees to stay with the company longer.

                You may want to consider using a variable interval schedule of reinforcement since it is more effective than any other schedule of reinforcement.

 

 

Version 2

 

Tim has been working for the same company for 20 years. Every March, he has a yearly review that decides the amount of money that will be included in his yearly bonus, and he makes sure he is working hard around that time.

 

This scenario is an example of the  schedule of reinforcement.

 

Which of the following should Tim’s managers keep in mind if Tim is given a bonus based on his performance around the time of the review?

 

                They are reinforcing his tendency to work hard around the review and not his overall performance throughout the year.

                Negative reinforcement is more likely to motivate employees that have worked at a company for more than 10 years.

                He is more likely to feel guilt about receiving the bonus and work hard throughout the next year, not just around the review period.

                Employees close to retirement are not as influenced by the principles of reinforcement.

 

 

Version 3

Fern has decided to dock employee pay in response to tardiness. She thinks that having the punishment occur sporadically will more effectively reduce this unwanted behavior. At times the fourth person that is tardy will get docked pay and sometimes the sixth person will get docked. If the employees are smart, they will figure out that it is the fifth occurrence of tardiness, on average, that results in docked pay.

 

This scenario is an example of the -----------------------------  schedule of reinforcement.

 

What piece of advice would you offer Fern to ensure her punishment is effective at reducing tardiness?

 

                Punish only those employees that consistently perform the undesirable behavior, or all employees are likely to leave.

                All punishment results in backlash, so be prepared, but don’t change what you are planning to do.

                In order to reduce the likelihood of backlash, punish every instance of tardiness, and soon after it happens.

                You do not need to worry about explaining the appropriate behavior, employees can infer this themselves.