Leadership

Paper Summary:

The paper analyzes the prospect of applying learning theory to leadership development. The paper discusses how learning is a process by which a considerably lasting change in the potential behavior takes place as a consequence of practice or experience. The paper further discusses how the scientific scrutiny of learning began towards the close of the nineteenth century with Pavlov, a Russian scientist, substantiating a learning process using the salivation reflex of dogs, known as the Classical Theory of Learning. The paper examines the work of Thorndike, an American scientist, who came forward with the terminology Operant Conditioning, suggesting that learning takes place as a result of an individual acting upon the environment. The paper further analyzes the work of B.F Skinner.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
From Classical Theory to Operant Conditioning: Thorndike Principle Of Reward
Cognitive Learning Theory
Leadership Development and Learning Theories
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Thorndike demonstrated that periodic reward is essential to reinforce learning. He was opinion that discontinuing the issuance of reward results in retardation or halting in the learning process or behavior. B.F skinner proved this notion correct by placing a rat in a box in which pressing small bars produced food. They also proved that punishment results in avoidance of behavior."

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