c
 

  c
 

 

Reinforcement theory is the process of shaping behaviour by controlling the consequences

of the behaviour. In reinforcement theory a combination of rewards and/or punishments is
used to reinforce desired behaviour or extinguish unwanted behaviour. Any behaviour that
elicits a consequence is called „


„ because the individual operates on his or
her environment. Reinforcement theory concentrates on the relationship between the
operant behaviour and the associated consequences, and is sometimes referred to as
operant conditioning.

4 types of Reinforce:


   
    This implies giving a positive response when an individual shows
positive and required behaviour. It must be noted tha t more spontaneous is the giving of
reward, the greater reinforcement value it has. 
 
  
    This implies rewarding an employee by removing negative /
undesirable consequences.
Both Positive and Negative Reinforcement Strengthens Behavior.
    It implies removing positive consequences so as to lower the probability of
repeating undesirable behaviour in future
  
 It implies lowering the probability of undesired behaviour by removing reward for
that kind of behaviour. Extinc tion may unintentionally lower desirable behaviour.
Punishment and Extinction Weakens Behavior.

Feedback is given when a learner is offered insight into what he actually did as well as the
consequences of his actions. The feedback formula consists of obs erving the behavior,
analyzing its impact and stating the preferred (or expected) behavior.

2 types of Feedback:

   
 which seeks to increase the event that causes it and  
  

which seeks to reduce the event that causes it.

Ways of reinforcing positive feedback would be to develop the habit of 




 and pointing it out and 



  


 . Finally,  
   

 
  
 itself by recognizing the fruits of that behaviour. That will teach the true
value of doing a good job.

Role of feedback in learning: Captured in the Information Processing Theory (G. Miller, 1956)
which states that new content gradually pushes out older content unless the older content is
actively protected against interference by rehearsal or by directing attention to it through
feedback.

Shaping refers to the reinforcement of a series of approximations. Approximation refers

behaviours that resembles the desire d behaviour or takes the person closer to the desired
behaviour. One form of shaping comes in the form of self shaping, in which subjects
themselves simplify tasks, by omitting certain features (Duncan, 1995), either deliberately or
perhaps just by not un derstanding them. A perfect example for this is proven by the benefits
of self shaping using the example of grammar learning, (Elman, 1993). ³Less is more´

Shaping in organisations increases predictability and reduces uncertainty. This often leads to
higher comfort levels operating in such environments. Tools of shaping may be in financial
form such as bonus or non -financial such as praise or recognition awards.