Final answer:
Rewarding attendance at training classes, which is an example of a performance improvement approach, employs operant conditioning, specifically a fixed ratio reinforcement schedule, to encourage employee participation and facilitate skill development.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rewarding attendance at training class is a type of performance improvement approach that falls under the umbrella of operant conditioning. This technique is used within organizations to encourage the desired behavior by providing positive reinforcement. In the context of organizational training, such as an orientation or job-specific training, providing rewards can enhance the learning experience and encourage attendance and participation.
Concretely, this approach can be seen as part of a fixed ratio reinforcement schedule, where the reward (for example, a bonus or certificate) is presented after a set number of occurrences, such as attending a certain number of training sessions. This method helps to reinforce the behavior of attending and engaging in training, which can lead to improvements in job performance and, by extension, benefit the organization in terms of productivity and profits.
The effectiveness of this type of approach was also supported by the fact that it can lead to immediate positive reinforcement and encourage employees to continue developing their skills. This is not just for the benefit of the individual but for the organization as a whole.