Short Case Scenario 8-1

question 53

Essay

Short Case Scenario 8-1
Bridget Jones has been the manager of the research office at her company for over a year. She is beginning to wonder if she will ever be comfortable in this role. Her employees seem dissatisfied and are not working their hardest. Bridget leaves work most days feeling that there must be a better way to manage.
Remembering the lessons of the Hawthorne studies, Bridget works hard to praise her employees regularly. The work that her employees do is relatively interesting and there are considerable opportunities for advancement and growth. Bridget holds regular staff meetings to get input from her employees before making decisions. In spite of these efforts, Bridget's employees seem to be dissatisfied.
At the company's annual meeting, she runs into Cliff Richards, her predecessor in the job. She shares her frustrations and asks him for advice. Cliff says, "Management is simple-people are naturally lazy and uncooperative. To make them productive, they must be punished for negative behavior and rewarded when they work hard." Bridget finds this hard to accept, but replies with "Thanks for the advice, Cliff. I'll think about what you've said."
-What type(s)of positive reinforcement has Bridget attempted to use?

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Definitions:

Prefrontal Cortex

The frontmost region of the frontal lobes in the brain, associated with decision making, social behavior, personality, and cognitive planning.

TIA

Transient Ischemic Attack; a temporary period of symptoms similar to those of a stroke.

Strokes

Medical conditions occurring when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing brain tissue from getting oxygen and nutrients.

Polypharmacy

The concurrent use of multiple medications by a patient, often complex and associated with potentially adverse effects.