Skip to ContentGo to accessibility pageKeyboard shortcuts menu
OpenStax Logo

Avoidance learning
Refers to seeking to avoid an unpleasant condition or outcome by following a desired behavior.
Behavior modification
The use of operant conditioning principles to shape human behavior to conform to desired standards defined by superiors.
Behavioral criteria
Defining what constitutes acceptable behavior in terms that employees can understand in objective, measurable terms.
Behavioral dilemmas
The process of getting people to substitute what have been called low-probability behaviors for high-probability behaviors.
Behavioral self-management
The use of operant conditioning principles to shape your own behavior to conform to desired standards defined by superiors.
Classical conditioning
The process whereby a stimulus-response bond is developed between a conditioned stimulus and a conditioned response through the repeated linking of a conditioned stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus.
Conditioned response
The process of conditioning through the repeated linking of a conditioned stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus.
Continuous reinforcement
Rewards desired behavior every time it occurs.
Drive
An internal state of disequilibrium; it is a felt need. It is generally believed that drive increases with the strength of deprivation.
Extinction
The principle that suggests that undesired behavior will decline as a result of a lack of positive reinforcement.
Habit
The experienced bond or connection between stimulus and response.
Law of effect
States that of several responses made to the same situation, those that are accompanied or closely followed by satisfaction (reinforcement) will be more likely to occur; those that are accompanied or closely followed by discomfort (punishment) will be less likely to occur.
Operant conditioning
Measures the effects of reinforcements, or rewards, on desired behaviors.
Partial reinforcement
Rewards desired behavior at specific intervals, not every time desired behavior is exhibited.
Performance audit
Aims to identify discrepancies between what management sees as desired or acceptable behavior and actual behavior.
Positive reinforcement
Consists of presenting someone with an attractive outcome following a desired behavior.
Punishment
The administration of unpleasant or adverse outcomes as a result of undesired behavior.
Reciprocal determinism
This concept implies that people control their own environment as much as the environment controls people.
Reinforcement
Anything that causes a certain behavior to be repeated or inhibited.
Self-regulation
The belief that individuals are capable of self-control if they want to change their behavior.
Self-reinforcement
The stage in Kanfer’s model where, by evaluating the situation and taking corrective action if necessary, one would assure themselves that the disruptive influence had passed and everything was now fine.
Self-talk
The process of convincing ourselves that the desired outcome is indeed possible.
Shaping
The process of improving performance incrementally, step by step.
Social learning theory
The process of molding behavior through the reciprocal interaction of a person’s cognitions, behavior, and environment.
Symbolic coding
When people try to associate verbal or visual stimuli with the problem.
Unconditioned response
From classical conditioning, a response to an unconditioned stimulus that is naturally evoked by that stimulus.
Vicarious learning
Learning that takes place through the imitation of other role models.
Order a print copy

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Citation/Attribution

This book may not be used in the training of large language models or otherwise be ingested into large language models or generative AI offerings without OpenStax's permission.

Want to cite, share, or modify this book? This book uses the Creative Commons Attribution License and you must attribute OpenStax.

Attribution information
  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a print format, then you must include on every physical page the following attribution:
    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/organizational-behavior/pages/1-introduction
  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a digital format, then you must include on every digital page view the following attribution:
    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/organizational-behavior/pages/1-introduction
Citation information

© Jan 9, 2024 OpenStax. Textbook content produced by OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License . The OpenStax name, OpenStax logo, OpenStax book covers, OpenStax CNX name, and OpenStax CNX logo are not subject to the Creative Commons license and may not be reproduced without the prior and express written consent of Rice University.