In applying conditioning principles in the workplace, a large retailer allowed employees to choose their own reinforcers. A casual dress code and flexible work hours proved to be effective in increasing productivity. The employer has used _____ to improve employee performance.
A)classical conditioning
B)behavior modification
C)higher order conditioning
D)the partial reinforcement effect

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The employer has used behavior modification, which involves the use of reinforcement to increase desired behaviors and decrease undesired behaviors. Allowing employees to choose their own reinforcers, such as a casual dress code and flexible work hours, is an example of positive reinforcement. The positive reinforcement of these choices has led to increased productivity in the workplace. Classical conditioning involves pairing a neutral stimulus with a natural or automatic response, higher order conditioning involves pairing a previously conditioned stimulus with a new stimulus to create a conditioned response, and the partial reinforcement effect is a phenomenon in which behaviors that are reinforced intermittently are more resistant to extinction than behaviors reinforced every time. None of these principles are directly relevant to the scenario given.

In Applying Conditioning Principles in the Workplace, a Large Retailer