Final answer:
Immediate praise for timely arrival at work is an example of positive reinforcement, a behavioral psychology concept that increases the likelihood of a behavior by following it with a reward. This technique can effectively motivate employees and is well-regarded for its impact on workplace productivity and quality.
Step-by-step explanation:
Immediate praise for an employee who arrives on time increases the likelihood of punctuality. This practice is an example of positive reinforcement.
Positive reinforcement is a concept from behavioral psychology, particularly operant conditioning, which involves increasing the probability of a desired behavior by following it with a positive consequence or reward. In the workplace, immediate praise can act as a motivator that reinforces punctual behavior, encouraging the employee to continue being on time.
An instance of this could involve a student learning from observation. After seeing a coworker reprimanded for being late, the student might decide to leave home earlier to ensure punctuality, which could be reinforced by the boss's praise or recognition. Additionally, a businessman may associate his diligent work with the inherent value of hard work, another form of internal reinforcement.
Furthermore, variable interval reinforcement schedules, like random quality checks that result in bonuses, keep productivity steady as employees maintain consistent performance due to unpredictable rewards. These behavioral strategies are popular with both economists and the general public because they can effectively increase the motivation for quality work.
Lastly, the Hawthorne effect indicates that employees may perform better when they are observed and interacted with by supervisors, thus tying into the broader spectrum of how behavior is influenced at work.