Organizational Behavior Management: An introduction to the science of behavior in the workplace
DOUGLAS A. JOHNSON
Western Michigan University
July 20th, 2017
Organizational Behavior Management: Origins, Applications, and Advantages Conference
Kinneret Academic College, Israel
Correspondence: behavioranalyst@gmail.com

Slide
1

Slide
2




Work as an aversive concept
Most of our waking lives arededicated to this aversive activity

Slide
3




Can more be done?
Example of an inherently boringjobOrganizational Behavior Management: An introduction to the science of behavior in the workplace
DOUGLAS A. JOHNSONWestern Michigan University
July 20th, 2017
Organizational Behavior Management: Origins, Applications, and Advantages Conference
Kinneret Academic College, Israel
Correspondence: behavioranalyst@gmail.com

Slide
4



Most activities we enjoy tend to beboring if you analyze the behaviors
without context

Slide5Although the task may be boring,that does not mean that theenvironment has to be boring

Slide
6



If we can make other activities
enriching, then why not the worldof work?

Organizational Behavior Management: An introduction to the science of behavior in the workplace
DOUGLAS A. JOHNSONWestern Michigan University
July 20th, 2017
Organizational Behavior Management: Origins, Applications, and Advantages Conference
Kinneret Academic College, Israel
Correspondence: behavioranalyst@gmail.com

Slide7

Slide8Slide9Work is awful because we make itawful
Too often work is characterized byextinction and punishment

Management tries to fix by finding
the magic perfect employee whowill work hard despite the terrible
contingencies
Employee who will do the job withenthusiasm for years despite
constantly being ignored andneglected

Some supervisors are almost
offended at suggestion that we cando more to better manage thecontingencies
We show kindness to new
employees, but that doesn’t lastShoulda outta wanna do their jobs

Organizational Behavior Management: An introduction to the science of behavior in the workplace
DOUGLAS A. JOHNSON
Western Michigan University
July 20th, 2017
Organizational Behavior Management: Origins, Applications, and Advantages Conference
Kinneret Academic College, Israel
Correspondence: behavioranalyst@gmail.com

Slide10

Typically manage via subtle threat
Weekly wages enable a standardof living, which is constantly
threatened by supervisorsSlide11

We tend to ignore employees until
something goes wrong, at which
point the threats stop being subtle

This patterns repeats with greater
intensity

Ignore employees ingeneral and rely on
aversive control whenthings go wrong

Slide
12

Organizational Behavior Management: An introduction to the science of behavior in the workplace
DOUGLAS A. JOHNSON
Western Michigan University
July 20th, 2017
Organizational Behavior Management: Origins, Applications, and Advantages Conference
Kinneret Academic College, Israel
Correspondence: behavioranalyst@gmail.com

Slide13Slide
14



Slide
15

The endless fads that fade away

All too common outcome:
Employees who do the bareminimum and no more
Just enough to avoid the scorn ofmanagement

Behavior analysts like to measure
behavior and collect data
Employees will claim their
particular jobs can’t be measured,
mostly because measurement
historically means undesirable
attention

Common sense interventions leadto temporary enthusiasm and no
lasting changeOrganizational Behavior Management: An introduction to the science of behavior in the workplace
DOUGLAS A. JOHNSON
Western Michigan University
July 20th, 2017
Organizational Behavior Management: Origins, Applications, and Advantages Conference
Kinneret Academic College, Israel
Correspondence: behavioranalyst@gmail.com

Slide16

Slide17

Employees can be safer, moreproductive, and more satisfied
OBM is bigger than making
companies more money, it has thepotential to improve the world in ameaningful way
Imagine the impact on our culture
and our world if our working lives
were better

Clear and effective antecedent—
pinpointing, training, andclarification

Better use of consequences—monetary incentives, recognition,praise, and feedback
Proper delivery is keyPrecision in
our antecedents

Slide18

Organizational Behavior Management: An introduction to the science of behavior in the workplace
DOUGLAS A. JOHNSON
Western Michigan University
July 20th, 2017
Organizational Behavior Management: Origins, Applications, and Advantages Conference
Kinneret Academic College, Israel
Correspondence: behavioranalyst@gmail.com

Slide19





Slide
20

Aligning the antecedents,behaviors, and consequences forthe individual employees,
supervisors, and organizations as
a wholeProducing value for everyone