Fundamentals of Management 6th Edition by Ricky Griffin

Exercise 23

Exercise Overview
Interpersonal skills refer to the ability to communicate with, understand, and motivate individuals and groups, and communication skills refer to the ability to send and receive information effectively. This exercise is designed to demonstrate the essential roles played in employee motivation by an understanding of what motivates people and an ability to communicate that understanding.
Exercise Background
One implication of reinforcement theory is that both positive reinforcement (reward) and punishment can be effective in altering employee behavior. The use of punishment, however, may result in resentment on the employee's part, and over the long term, that resentment can diminish the effectiveness of punishment. By and large, positive reinforcement is more effective over time.
Exercise Task
Your instructor will ask for volunteers to perform a demonstration in front of the class. Consider volunteering, but if you don't want to participate, observe the behavior of the volunteers closely. When the demonstration is over, respond to the following questions:
How did positive reinforcement and punishment affect the "employee" in the demonstration? How did it affect the "boss"?