Section 10 Behavioral Performance Management. Behavior Modification Techniques There are five categories of activities that can be addressed with behavior.

Section 10Section 10Behavioral Performance Management

Behavior Modification Techniques

There are five categories of activities that can be addressed with behavior modification techniques:

• Develop a new behavior

• Strengthen a behavior

• Maintain an established behavior

• Stop inappropriate behavior

• Modify emotional behavior

Behavior ModificationBehavior Modification

We “operate” on the environment ◦Alter behavior to maximize positive and

minimize adverse consequences.

Operant versus respondent behaviors

Law of effect◦Likelihood that an operant behavior will be

repeated depends on its consequences

Learning Theory BackgroundLearning Theory Background

(Continued)

ConsequencesConsequences

What happensWhat happensAfter behaviorAfter behavior

EmployeeEmployeereceivesreceivesattendanceattendancebonusbonus

ExampleExample

A-B-Cs of Behavior ModificationA-B-Cs of Behavior Modification

BehaviorBehavior

What personWhat personsays or doessays or does

EmployeeEmployeeattendsattendsscheduledscheduledworkwork

AntecedentsAntecedents

What happensWhat happensbefore behaviorbefore behavior

AttendanceAttendancebonus systembonus systemis announcedis announced

BehaviorIncreases/Maintained

BehaviorDecreases

Consequenceis Introduced

Consequenceis Removed

Contingencies of ReinforcementContingencies of Reinforcement

PunishmentPunishment

PositivePositivereinforcementreinforcement

ExtinctionExtinction PunishmentPunishment

NegativeNegativereinforcementreinforcement

NoConsequence

Principles of Learning:Principles of Learning:Reinforcement and PunishmentReinforcement and Punishment (Continued)

Principles of Learning:Principles of Learning:Reinforcement and PunishmentReinforcement and Punishment The Use of Punishment

◦ The Meaning of Punishment◦ Often used, rarely understood◦ Administering Punishment◦ Guidelines for Discipline

Analysis of Money as a Reinforcer

Issues of timing the reinforcer

Nonfinancial Rewards◦ Social Recognition and

Attention◦ Performance Feedback◦ Need to Evaluate it

(Continued)

Schedules of ReinforcementSchedules of Reinforcement Behaviors

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Continuous

Fixed ratio

Variable ratio

Fixed interval

Time (Days)1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Variable interval

Behavioral Performance Behavioral Performance Management, or O. B. Mod.Management, or O. B. Mod.

• Step 1: Identification of Performance Behaviors

• Step 2: Measurement of the Behavior

• Step 3: Functional Analysis of the Behavior

• Step 4: Development of an Intervention Strategy– A Positive Reinforcement Strategy

– A Punishment-Positive Reinforcement Strategy

• Step 5: Evaluation to Ensure Performance Improvement

A final note of cautionA final note of caution

Must Be Extremely Careful of What to Positively Reinforce (Fixed vs. Growth “Mindsets” from Dweck, 2006)◦ Student subjects randomly reinforced for their ability in solving tasks

(“you must be really smart as this”) led to a “fixed mindset.”◦ Subsequently, they rejected taking on challenging new tasks ( fear of

failure, not able to meet expectations).◦ If they did try and failed, they took it personal, felt deficient and

depressed.◦ They did not enjoy, have fun, at subsequent tasks.◦ Importantly, their performance decreased over time.◦ Many( 40%) actually lied to others about their abilities. ◦ However, those randomly reinforced for their effort on tasks (“you

must have worked really hard at this”) led to a “growth mindset” and the exact opposite results.

Uses of O.B. ModificationUses of O.B. Modification

PerformanceAbsenteeismTurnover

◦E.g., staffing firm study- praise and recognition

Questions