Organizational Behavior: Learning and its theories

Presentation for Management students to understand the basic concept of learning, its theories, cycle and how to understand and change employee undesirable behavior

2. Content
Learning-Definition
Features of learning
Learning Cycle
Factors influencing learning
Significance of Learning in OB
Theories of learning
Learning and OB Modification
Steps in Behavior Modification

3. Definitions: Learning is:
“apersistingchangeinhumanperformanceor
performancepotential...(brought)aboutasaresult
ofthelearner’sinteractionwiththeenvironment.
“therelativelypermanentchangeinaperson’s
knowledgeorbehaviorduetoexperience.”
“Learningisachangeinbehaviorasaresultof
experienceorpracticeandtheacquisitionof
knowledge”.

4. Features of Learning
Involves change in behavior
Must be relative permanent; not
temporary
Continuous process
Must be based on some form of practice
or experience
Practice or experience must be
reinforced in order for learning to occur.
Learning involves change either good or
bad.

5. Learning Cycle
Stimulus(Source
of Motivation)
Response
(Reaction of
learner towards
the stimulus)
Motivation
(Drive to
encourage
Individual to
learn)
Rewards
(Transparent and
predictive incentive to
satisfy the motive)

6. Factors influencing learning
behavior
Environmental Factors
Social Factors
Physiological Factors
Psychological Factors
Learning Methods
Learning materials and content

7. Significance of Learning in
OB
Helps to understand and predict
human behavior at work
Helps to manage diversity
Helps to maintain TQM
Helps to adapt changing
technology
Facilities organizational change
and development

8. Theory of Learning
Behavioristic Theory
◦Classical conditioning
◦Operant conditioning
Cognitive Learning
Social Learning

9. Behaviorism Theories
Confined to observable and measurable
behavior
Classical Conditioning –Ivan P.
Pavlov
Operant Conditioning -Skinner

10. Classical conditioning
is defined as a process in which a formerly
neutral stimuli, when paired with an
unconditioned stimulus, becomes a
conditioned stimulus that elicits (leads to) a
conditioned response thus S-R connection is
learnt.
Classical conditioning is based on the
premise that a physical event termed as a
stimulus that initially does not lead to a
particular response gradually acquires the
capacity to lead to that response as a result
of repeated pairing with an unconditioned
stimulus.
This is important in reactions such as fear,
prejudice, taste, aversion.

12. Operant conditioning
is also known as instrumental
conditioning . It is a learning process in
which behavior is sensitive to, or
controlled by its outcomes.
Behavior is a function of its
consequences.
Our behavior process certain
consequences and how we behave in
the future will depend on what those
consequences are.
Operant conditioning emphasizes on
voluntary behavior.

15. Cognitive learning theory
Thecognitivetheorydefineshuman
behaviorasadynamic,andreciprocal
interactionofpersonalfactors,
behavior,andtheenvironment.
stronglyemphasisonone’scognitions.
Itreferstothepowerandabilityof
knowing.
Thistheorysuggeststhatthemindisan
activeforcethatconstruct’sone’s
realityisformedbytheinteractionof
theenvironmentandone’scognitions.

16. Cognitivism in the Classroom
Inquiry-oriented
projects
Opportunities for
the testing of
hypotheses
Curiosity
encouraged
Staged scaffolding

17. Social Learning Theory (SLT)
Grew out of Cognitivism
Albert Bandura(1973)
This theory states that we learn not just
from first hand experience, but also
from watching others or by hearing
about something.
Such observational learning stresses the
importance of models in our lives.

18. Social Learning Theory
Four interrelated processes establish and
strengthen identification with the model:
1. Children want to be like the model
2. Children believe they are like the
model
3. Children experience emotions like
those the model is feeling.
4. Children act like the model.

19. Social Learning Theory
Through identification, children come to
believe they have the same
characteristics as the model.
When they identify with a nurturant and
competent model, children feel pleased and
proud.
When they identify with an inadequate model,
children feel unhappy and insecure.

20. SLT in the Classroom
Collaborative
learning and group
work
Modeling responses
and expectations
Opportunities to
observe experts in
action

21. Critiques of Social Learning
Theory
Does not take into account individuality,
context, and experience as mediating
factors
Suggests students learn best as passive
receivers of sensory stimuli, as opposed
to being active learners
Emotions and motivation not considered
important or connected to learning

22. Social Constructivism in the
Classroom
Journaling
Experiential
activities
Personal focus
Collaborative &
cooperative
learning

24. Learning and OB Modification
OB Modification is used to understand
the behavior of human being more
effectively and used to improve,
eliminate or modify undesirable behavior
to get organizational effectiveness.
Behavioral modification focus in;
◦Improving employee productivity,
◦Reducing absenteeism and lateness,
◦Reducing accident rates,
◦Improving employee discipline,
◦Developing training and development
programs.
◦Improving industrial relations

25. Steps in Behavior Modification
Identify Critical behavior
Develop Benchmark to identify
desirable and undesirable behavior
Analyze Behavioral consequence
Implement Intervention strategy
Evaluate Performance change

26. THANK YOU