Long
Term Benefits of Positive Reinforcement vs Negative Reinforcement
by Kirkham
Over
the years of tutoring students with behavior challenges, I've
noticed a pattern of negative reinforcement by both parents and
teachers in an attempt to diminish or stop such behaviors.
Let's
review some basic behavioral reactions from all human beings. This
includes both adults and children since these are basic behaviors.
Children and adults avoid
negative stimuli.
This includes but is not
inclusive to spankings, getting yelled at by the boss, or even
disapproving looks.
Children and
adults attempt to receive positive stimuli
This
includes but is not inclusive to hugs, getting complemented by the
boss, or even approving looks.
In
the absence of any stimuli children and adults will attempt to
create situation wherein responses by authority figures or peers
is motivated.
In most cases I've witnessed in
both children and adults the activity to promote this stimuli
tends to be in the form of a negative behavior issue. Again, this
applies to both children and adults from throwing paper airplanes
to antics at the water cooler at the office.
Why
are these behaviors primarily negative?
Let's
consider the way we were raised.
I've actually had
successful, intelligent parents tell me and I quote one person
"My wife and I don't believe in rewarding expected
behavior."
What do you believe my former student will
do when he/she feels a need for attention? Do well on a test? No,
that's expected. As is behaving in class, in public and basically
acting in an appropriate manner in all situations.
I've
seen the same attitude in over 75% of the parents who hired me to
consult with them over email or tutor their child and it's not the
parents fault. Most parents don't have a background in teaching,
counseling or psychology They raise their children, in most cases,
the way they were raised. Getting the occasional tip from another
parent or television. If the technique the parent uses even
temporarily hinders a behavior. They feel successful.
For
the most part, if the child has no extreme behaviors, the parents
techniques raise a socially acceptable child with average goals in
life, but at what loss of potential?
Let's
look inside the mind of a child through adulthood.
Let's
presume he/she has average self-trained parents who understand the
benefits of positive reinforcement, but are, for the most part
unsure how to execute it and therefore is sporadic at best.
Here's a scenario;
John gets an A on his test.
Parents praise him.
The next class John tries hard though
he gets a D. Parents admonish him.
John gets another D in
the same class. Parents ground him
John gets yet another D
parents take away his hand held gamer
John stops trying in
the class
John resorts to acting out for attention in that
class
As his peers grow accustom to his behaviors John
escalates them in order to receive the same amount of attention.
The parents finally have a meeting with the teacher of
that class to find out why John gets into trouble in that class.
This can escalate further but generally doesn't. Do you
now understand, however, why we act out in a negative manner in
order to get attention. We keep the traits in us which are
reinforced whether this reinforcement consists of negative or
positive stimuli.
Let's now examine some parents who,
through classes study or perhaps even buying my book (were they
the one's) understand the importance of consistent positive
reinforcement.
John gets a D on his test
A
compliment is followed by constructive questions
John
changes his study habits
John still gets a D
The
parents hit a heavy bag, power-walk and release their stress in
constructive ways.
A compliment is followed by
constructive questions
The parents have a meeting with
John's teacher for the class.
The teacher works with John.
John probably does better on the next test.
Regardless
of the results John still has his support group and is not alone.
Which means I probably won't get the “you're my last hope”
call.
Let's carry both these
scenarios into adulthood
Primarily Negative
Stimuli
John graduated high school with B's and C's He's
working at a grocery store. He bags groceries and is a hard
worker. He does what he's told at work because he doesn't want to
get into trouble. He shows up to work regularly and has had a few
raises.
Scenario with primarily positive reinforcement
John graduated high school with A's and B's. He started
out bagging groceries. John knew he could do better than that. He
worked hard utilizing the same positive reinforcement techniques
his parents had utilized with him to improve his self-confidence.
The customers, coworkers, and management appreciated his positive
attitude and hard work. John asked questions and was not afraid to
try or suggest new ways of performing daily tasks at work.
He's
now the manager of the grocery store with a very busy schedule as
he is taking college courses in the evening.
Conclusion
Though John's character is fictional, the
results are not. Self-confidence and a lack of fear to attempt to
achieve tasks without negative reprisals due to temporary lack of
achievement is a must for the building blocks for both leadership
and innovation. Without consistent positive reinforcement the
child's chances of realizing this self-confidence to perserveer
and to develop and initiate new ideas and methodology is greatly
restricted.
Let
me conclude with a quote from my book
“Do
you want your child to want to do the right thing or be afraid to
do the wrong thing?
About
the Author
J.
Richard Kirkham is a dual certified teacher and martial arts
instructor. He has expertise in alternative teaching methods and
positive reinforcement methodology. He's written several books in
the printable electronic format and has made downloadable videos
and DVDs. One of his books he put his heart and soul into is
“Tutoring
and Positive Reinforcement Techniques and Methodology for all
Parents and Teachers” formerly titled “Raising Your
Child to be More Positive and More Confident” Feel free to
visit Mr. Kirkham's website at KirkhamsEbooks.com
or you may email
him at help@kirkhamsebooks.com
Copyright
2006
Kwik
Teaching and Behavior Tips
For the busy
person
http://kirkhamsebooks.com/Education/Education_Articles/KwikTips/index.htm
Get
Education and Behavior Tips in Your Email or On Your Website!
Submit Your Own
as well if you like!
EducationProblemsNSolutions-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
EducationProblemsNSolutions@yahoogroups.com
Teaching
and Behavioral Modification Books Ebooks Articles and Services
http://kirkhamsebooks.com/Education/index.htm
Please
browse or submit your own
Education
and Behavioral Modification Articles
http://kirkhamsebooks.com/Education/Education_Articles/index.htm
Please
browse or submit your own
Kirkhams
Ebooks Videos and Software
http://KirkhamsEbooks.com
|