 Long Term Benefits of Positive Reinforcement vs Negative Reinforcement by J. Richard Kirkham
Over the years of tutoring students with behavior challenges, Ive noticed a pattern of negative reinforcement by both parents and teachers in an attempt to diminish or stop such behaviors.
Lets 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 Ive 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?
Lets consider the way we were raised.
Ive actually had successful, intelligent parents tell me and I quote one person
'My wife and I dont 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, thats expected. As is behaving in class, in public and basically acting in an appropriate manner in all situations.
Ive seen the same attitude in over 75% of the parents who hired me to consult with them over email or tutor their child and its not the parents fault. Most parents dont 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?
Lets look inside the mind of a child through adulthood.
Lets 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.
Heres 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 doesnt. 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.
Lets now examine some parents who, through classes study or perhaps even buying my book (were they the ones) 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 Johns 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 wont get the 'youre my last hope' call.
Lets carry both these scenarios into adulthood
Primarily Negative Stimuli
John graduated high school with Bs and Cs Hes working at a grocery store. He bags groceries and is a hard worker. He does what hes told at work because he doesnt 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 As and Bs. 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.
Hes now the manager of the grocery store with a very busy schedule as he is taking college courses in the evening.
Conclusion
Though Johns 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 childs 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. Hes 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. Kirkhams website at KirkhamsEbooks.com or you may email him at help@kirkhamsebooks.com
J. Richard Kirkham is a dual certified teacher and martial arts instructor. He has expertise in alternative teaching methods and positive reinforcement methodology.
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