Learning and Ability

Unit 3

Behavior Modification

An attempt to change behavior by manipulating rewards and punishment (OB Mod ) OB Modification program helps To reduce errors, absenteeism, tardiness, accident rates Improve friendliness toward customers.

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OB Modification program - Steps

Identifying critical behaviors Developing baseline data Identifying behavior consequences Developing and implementing an intervention strategy Evaluating performance improvement

Limitations of Behaviour Modification

An overall structure and ignores individual differences Assume extrinsic rewards as the key factors and ignore intrinsic rewards Ignores prevailing work-group norms

Specific Organizational Application

Using lotteries to reduce absenteeism by Continental Airlines Well pay vs. sick pay by organizations in USA , Forbes magazine Employee discipline Developing training programs Self-management

Ability
Biographic Characteristics

Gender - women tend to be more conforming , have lower expectations of

success & absenteeism rates tend to be higher

Age Marital status Tenure

A .There is a positive relationship between tenure and job productivity B. There is a negative relationship between tenure to absence C. Tenure is also a potent variable in explaining turnover D. Tenure has consistently been found to be negatively related to turnover and has been suggested as one of the single best predictors of turnover. E. The evidence indicates that tenure and satisfaction are positively related

Ability

Intellectual Abilities Physical Abilities

Intellectual Abilities

Required to perform mental activities Seven most commonly cited dimensions making up intellectual abilities
Description Ability to do speedy and accurate arithmetic Read write speaking ability Identify similarities and differences quickly and accurately Logical sequence drawing Job Example Accountant Senior managers Investigators Market Researcher

Intellectual Ability Dimension Number aptitude Verbal Communication Perceptual Speed Inductive reasoning

Deductive reasoning
Spatial Visualization Memory

Ability to use logic and assess the implications of the argument

Ability to imagine Ability to retain and recall past experience

Supervisors
Interior decorator Sales person-Remembering customers name

Theory of multiple intelligences

Developed by Gardner Eight different intelligences to account for a broader range of human potential in children and adults.

1. Linguistic intelligence ("word smart"): 2. Logical-mathematical intelligence ("number/reasoning smart") 3. Spatial intelligence ("picture smart") 4. Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence ("body smart") 5. Musical intelligence ("music smart") 6. Interpersonal intelligence ("people smart") 7. Intrapersonal intelligence ("self smart") 8. Naturalist intelligence ("nature smart")

Advantages

Highly reliable. Verbal reasoning and numerical tests have shown high validity for a wide range of jobs. The validity rises with increasing complexity of the job Combinations of aptitude tests have higher validities than individual tests alone May be administered in group settings where many applicants can be tested at the same time. Scoring of the tests may be completed by computer scanning equipment. Lower cost than personality tests.

Physical Abilities proposed by Fleishman (1979)

Strength Factors Dynamic strength Trunk strength Static strength Explosive strength Ability to exert muscular force repeatedly or continuously over time Ability to exert muscular strength using the trunk (particularly abdominal) muscles Ability to exert force against external objects Ability to expend a maximum of energy in one or a series of explosive acts Flexibility Factors Extent flexibility Dynamic flexibility Body coordination Balance Ability Stamina Ability Ability to move the trunk and back muscles as far as possible Ability to make rapid, repeated flexing Movements Other Factors Ability to coordinate the simultaneous actions of different parts of the body Ability to maintain equilibrium despite forces pulling off balance Ability to continue maximum effort requiring prolonged effort over time

Advantages Can identify individuals who are physically unable to perform the essential functions of a job without risking injury to themselves or others Can result in decreased costs related to disability/medical claims, insurance, and workers compensation Decreased absenteeism

Disadvantages Costly to administer Requirements must be shown to be job related through a thorough job analysis May have an age based disparate impact against older applicants