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B.F.Skinner. Hess Václav Michková Adéla Pham Thi Bich Hanh Vaňourek Tomáš. Structure of the presentation. About B. F. Skinner Behavioral approach Skinner's box Reinforcement theory of motivation Theory in practice. Burrhus Frederic Skinner.
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B.F.Skinner Hess Václav Michková Adéla PhamThiBichHanh Vaňourek Tomáš
Structure of the presentation • About B. F. Skinner • Behavioral approach • Skinner's box • Reinforcement theory of motivation • Theory in practice
Burrhus Frederic Skinner "The consequences of behavior determine the probability that the behavior will occur again" –B. F. Skinner
Burrhus Frederic Skinner • * March 20, 1904 in Susquehanna • †August 18 ,1990 • 1926 he received his B.A in English literature at Hamilton college • 1931 he received PHD from Harvard university. • 1945 he was Psychology Department Chair at the University of Indiana • 1948 he joined the psychology department at Harvard University
Some his activities and achievements • Skinner innovated “radical behaviorism” • Founded his own school of experimental analysis of behavior • Discovered and advanced the rate of response as a dependent variable in psychological research • He has 4 famous inventions: • Air crib • operant conditioning chamber • cumulative recorder-teaching machine • Pigeon-guided missile.
TheBehavioralApproach • Skinner showed that by presenting animals or people with rewards & punishments you could shape their behavior • Shaping:involves presenting a reinforcement for each successive approximation of a desired behavior • E.g., if we want to shape lever pressing in rats, we would reinforce any behavior that even remotely resembles lever pressing
Skinner Box • Skinner created an apparatus that would present rewards to an organism (animals & humans!!) based on their behavioral responses. • He even had his daughter stay in the box for several experiments
Reinforcement theory of motivation • 1. Positive Reinforcement: Strengthens a response by presenting something that is perceived as appetitive (pleasant) after a behavior is emitted. • E.g., Immediately praising an employee for coming early for job. • 2. Negative Reinforcement: strengthens a response by removing a negative/undesirable consequences after a behavior is emitted. • E.g., Constantly being reminded to be more productive.
Reinforcement theory of motivation • 3. Extinction- It implies absence of reinforcements. In other words, extinction implies lowering the probability of undesired behavior by removing reward for that kind of behavior. • E.g., if an employee no longer receives praise and admiration for his good work, he may feel that his behavior is generating no fruitful consequence. • 4. Punishment - Removing positive consequences so as to lower the probability of repeating undesirable behavior in future • E.g., Suspending an employee for breaking the organizational rules.
Implications of Reinforcement Theory • Managers have to: • Set clear and reasonable expectations • Identify strong motivators • Encourage desirable behavior • Effectively use reinforcement
Skinner's theory in practice http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euINCrDbbD4&feature=related
References • Glass, M.How Can Managers Use Reinforcement Theory to Motivate Employees?[online] Small business. Available from: http://smallbusiness.chron.com/can-managers-use-reinforcement-theory-motivate-employees-18559.html [Accessed 1November 2012] • Cherry K. B. F. SkinnerBiography (1904-1990) [online] About.com. Availablefrom: http://psychology.about.com/od/profilesofmajorthinkers/p/bio_skinner.htm • Management study guide. Reinforcement Theory ofMotivation[online] Management study guide. Available from:http://www.managementstudyguide.com/reinforcement-theory-motivation.html[Accessed 1November 2012] • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._F._Skinner#Verbal_Behavior