The Case Of The Manager Who Doubled Productivity.
When Cliff Richards took over as the new department manager, he discovered that the existing staff was unusually inefficient and unproductive. Cliff learned that the previous manager often criticized and chided staff members for every little mistake felt demoralized. Cliff resolved not to criticize or punish staff members unless it was absolutely necessary. Instead, he frequently complimented them whenever they did a good job. He set daily production goal for them, and every Friday afternoon he bought lunch for all staff members who met their goal every day that week. Moreover, Cliff randomly conducted spot checks on what staff members were doing, and if he found them hard at work, he gave them small rewards such as extra break time. Within just three months, productivity in Cliff’s department nearly doubled. It became the most efficient department in the company.
1. How did Cliff the advantage of principles of operant conditioning to modify his staff’s behavior?
In the case of the manager who doubled productivity, Cliff took advantage of the principles of
operant conditioning to modify his staff’s behavior. Cliff increased productivity through
affirmations that were both verbal and physical. He also stayed away from using negative
language or punishing members for previously accepted habits and behaviors. By repeatedly
highlighting and reinforcing the approaches and behaviors that were efficient, Cliff doubled
productivity.
2. Why did Cliff’s predecessor’s strategy of punishing undesirable behavior not work very well? Even if punishment and reinforcement strategies were equally effective at controlling behavior, why would reinforcement remain preferable?
Cliff’s predecessor’s strategy of punishing undesirable behavior does not work very well. It
inevitably fosters an environment that is high anxiety and one where workers do not have loyalty.
Moreover, punishments may reduce their productivity out of spite or revenge for the
punishments, only decreasing productivity further. Most importantly, it does not teach the
workers what they are doing wrong or how they should do it better.
3. How did Cliff make use of partial reinforcement schedules? What kinds of schedules did he use?
Cliff did make use of partial reinforcement schedules. He set daily production goals and also
conducted spot checks, such that he used routine schedules for the daily goals, as well as
intermittent and random schedules for the spot-checks.
4. How could Cliff use his technique to train his staff to complete a complex new task that they had never done before?
Cliff can use his technique to train his staff to complete a complex new task that they had
never done before. He can teach his employees how to do it and when they do it well they can be
awarded. He can also use spot corrections to fix minor issues in their ability to carryout the
technique and to hone their skills.
5. How might Cliff make use of principles of cognitive learning theory to improve his staff’s productivity even further?
Cliff can make use of principles of cognitive learning theory to improve his staff’s
productivity even further. He can create teams where each member provides a different strength
and they reinforce their strength skills in others. He can create healthy team competitions with
physical and verbal awards.
The Case Of Mike And Marty Scanlon, The Unlikely Twins.
People often have difficulty believing that Mike and Marty Scanlon are brothers, let alone twin. The two men bear a resemblance, but the similarity ends there. Marty Scanlon was always a quiet, well-behaved child. He excelled in all his academic subjects throughout his school years, although he was shy and had few friends. Marty would always be polite to people, but he generally preferred to keep to himself. After college, Marty became a successful network administrator for a large financial company and married his longtime girlfriend. A dedicated family man, Marty spends most of his free time doing home improvement projects and looking after his two children. Mike Scanlon, on the other hand, could never be described as shy. He was the student that teachers dreaded having in their classroom: boisterous, unruly, and indifferent to authority. Mike had many brushes with the law throughout his high school years, for crimes ranging from vandalism to public drunkenness. Mike dropped out of high school to take a job as an oil-change technician at a local garage; he spends most of his free time and money at local bars-at least the ones that haven’t banned him for starting fights. Mike’s current legal trouble surrounds two of his ex-girlfriend, who are independently taking him to court for child support. Mike is unfazed, however; he laughs with his friends that they’ll never get a dime from him.
1. How would Freud explain the personality differences between Mike and Marty Scanlon?
Freud would explain the personality differences between Mike and Marty Scanlon are related
to instinctual drives, unconscious processes, and early childhood influences. Their personality
differences may be inherent and related to genetics, but also their environment and experiences
shaped their personalities. Thus their personalities are different because their genetic make-up
and life experiences are different from each other.
2. How would you rate Mike and Mart Scanlon on the Big Five personality traits?
Mike and Marty would have very different scores of the Big Five Personality index. Mike
would score high on extroversion, where as Marty would score low. In terms of agreeableness,
Marty would score high and Mike would score low. In For conscientiousness and openness to
experience, Marty would score high and Mike would score low. For neuroticism, Marty would
score and Mike would score high.
3. Given that Mike and Marty Scanlon are twins and share some of their genetic makeup, how would you explain the pronounced differences in their personalities? What role, if any, does temperament seem to be playing?
Given that Mike and Marty Scanlon are twins and share some of their genetic makeup, some
of the pronounced differences in their personalities are a result of experiences and their
environment. Temperament plays a role in their personality, as it is associated with the types of
interactions they have with others and the activities they partake in. Hence negative interactions
foster negative behaviors in Mike, where as positive interaction foster positive behavior in
Marty.
4. Which of the two brothers seems more likely to be achieving self-actualization, and why do you think so?
Marty seems more likely to be achieving self-actualization. This is the case because he is
reaching more of his potential both emotionally and career-wise. As a person he is considered
valuable to others and he plays an integral role in the lives of others.
5. Do Mike and Marty Scanlon appear to have different levels of intelligence, or do they show intelligence in different ways? Why do you think so?
Mike and Marty Scanlon appear to have similar levels of intelligence, but they show
intelligence in different ways. I think Marty is classically and conventionally smart. Mike,
although he makes poor choices, they are calculated and perhaps strategic choices. These traits
require intelligence and thought, thereby also making him smart.
Case Studies Assignment
Formatting
Format your paper using a standard font, such as Times New
Roman, 12 point, double-spaced. Set the margins at a standard
1 inch on all sides. Since you’ve given your information
on the cover sheet, no header is necessary.
For the body of your paper, make a clear distinction you’re
answering the questions about Case Study 1 and answer
questions 1–5 in complete sentences. Then move on to the
next case study and continue in the same format.