Manag., July-2016-Q10
- Option : A
- Explanation : Principles of Learning: Reinforcement and Punishment
Reinforcement and punishment play a central role in the learning process. Most learning experts agree that reinforcement is more important than punishment and is the single most important principle of learning. Yet, there is still some controversy over its theoretical explanation. The first theoretical treatment given to reinforcement in learning and the framework that still dominates today is Thorndike’s classic law of effect.
Reinforcement
An often-cited circular definition of reinforcement says that it is anything the person finds rewarding, This definition is of little value because the words “reinforcing” and “rewarding” are used interchangeably, but neither one is operationally defined. A more operational definition can be arrived at by reverting to the law of effect. Under this law, reinforcement can be defined as anything that both increases the strength of response and tends to induce repetitions of the behavior that preceded the reinforcement. A reward is simply something that the person who presents it deems to be desirable.
Reinforcement is functionally defined. Something is reinforcing only if it strengthens the response preceding it and induces repetitions of the response. For example, a manager may ostensibly reward an employee who found an error in a report by publicly praising the employee. Yet upon examination, it is found that the employee is embarrassed and chided by coworkers, and error-finding behavior decreases in the future. In this example, the “reward” is not reinforcing. Even though there is this technical difference between a reward and reinforces, the terms are often used interchangeably.
