Organizational behavior management (OBM) takes the principles of B. F. Skinner’s reinforcement theory and applies them in organizations. Its guiding philosophy is that our behavior is shaped and maintained by the environment, especially its performance consequences. Rarely are efforts made to change workers’ attitudes or personalities. Instead most interventions or efforts to improve performance involve rearranging the situation so that favorable consequences—a thumbs-up, scores posted on a graph, the way paved to a coveted promotion—consistently occur when workers perform as desired. This intervention, referred to as positive reinforcement, is the most prevalent in OBM.

Embodying the Scientist–Practitioner Model

Psychologists are encouraged to apply psychological principles, while at the same time checking to see if evidence supports their application. The same scientist–practitioner model is extolled in OBM. ...

  • Loading...
locked icon

Sign in to access this content

Get a 30 day FREE TRIAL

  • Watch videos from a variety of sources bringing classroom topics to life
  • Read modern, diverse business cases
  • Explore hundreds of books and reference titles