Behavior modification is a form of operant conditioning that involves linking a specific consequence to a specific action. Processes of behavior modification can help motivate a person by helping him recognize the connection between a behavior and its consequence in a certain setting such as in the workplace or at school.
Strategies for Reinforcing Desirable Behavior
Positive reinforcement involves rewarding a person for a certain behavior. According to Jan Pascal at Devry Kansas City Campus Community, positive reinforcement increases the probability that a person will have the motivation to perform a certain behavior. Negative reinforcement is a strategy of rewarding a person by removing an undesirable consequence of his behavior. An example from Pascal explains that if a person's insurance company tells him that his insurance rate will drop if he receives no traffic violations for the coming year, then the insurance company is attempting to modify his behavior by removing the undesirable consequence of a high insurance premium as long as the person drives within the law for the specified time. Negative reinforcement differs from punishment because its goal is to remove a punishment or undesirable situation whereas punishment involves presenting a person with an undesirable situation as a consequence of his undesirable behavior.
Strategies for Modifying Undesirable Behavior
Punishment and extinction are ways of motivating an employee to be a better worker by eliminating his undesirable behavior. Punishment involves presenting a person with an undesirable consequence as a result of his undesirable behavior. Removing a desirable consequence is another form of punishment. An example from Everest explains that a supervisor can punish an employee for violation a safety rule by the undesirable consequence of suspending that employee. A supervisor can also remove a desirable consequence as a result of the employee's undesirable behavior by denying the employee the opportunity to earn overtime pay. Extinction involves removing a desirable consequence for an undesirable behavior. An example from Pascal explains that if an employee makes a habit of telling offensive jokes in order to achieve the positive consequence of laughter, then other employees can attempt to modify his behavior by agreeing not to laugh at the jokes.
Benefits
Rewards for positive behavior can be in the form of money, gifts, food, career opportunities, pride or status symbols, according to Pascal. Examples include a salary increase, trophies, invitation to a banquet for top performers, a promotion, or recognition in the form or a compliment or a letter of appreciation.
Getting Started
Pascal recommends that employers begin the process of behavior modification by reinforcing a constructive behavior that an employee already performs. Employees should receive rewards at intermittent times and not at every occasion of a good performance. Pascal explains that intermittent rewards can motivate employees to continue the desirable behavior while retaining the value of the rewards.
Considerations
Quick MBA cautions against giving an employee a greater reward than he deserves. The employee's performance may improve at first, but in time he may believe that his subpar performance is worthy of reward and return to his poor behavior.
