Does your job use Operant Conditioning?

 Operant conditioning is a psychology concept that involves using rewards and punishments to influence behavior. It focuses on how the consequences of behaviors influence the chance of behavior repetition, with positive reinforcement increasing the likelihood of behavior repetition, negative reinforcement removing or avoiding unpleasant stimuli, and punishment decreasing the frequency of behavior occurrence. Operant conditioning allows for the molding and control of behavior in a variety of circumstances by manipulating consequences.

In the workplace, operant conditioning can be seen in a variety of ways shaping and influencing employee behavior. Consider a company's sales crew as an example. The management institutes a commission-based reward system in which employees receive monetary bonuses for hitting or exceeding sales targets. This positive reinforcement motivates people to work harder and strive for higher performance. As a result, individuals who consistently meet their goals are more likely to repeat their high-performance behavior, resulting in improved productivity and motivation among the team.

Opant conditioning, on the other hand, can be used in the workplace through punishment or negative reinforcement. Assume an employee is frequently late for work, negatively impacting the team's productivity. The management sets up a system in which late arrivals are deducted from the employee's monthly incentive. This acts as a type of punishment, deterring tardy behavior. The negative consequence of forfeiting a portion of the bonus acts as an unpleasant trigger, lowering the likelihood of future late arrivals. Employees learn through operant conditioning that punctuality is required and that there are repercussions for failing to meet this expectation, ultimately altering their behavior to align with the desired work ethic.