Reinforcement: Positive & Negative
What is Reinforcement?
Operant Conditioning is a theory developed by B.F. Skinner in 1937 that asserts that behavior is “controlled by its consequences.” Consequences include reinforcement (increasing a behavior) and punishment (decreasing a behavior). This post explores REINFORCEMENT.
Negative reinforcement is often mistaken for punishment and positive reinforcement is often mistaken for bribery, but if reinforcement is used correctly, neither of those are true. Rather, both positive and negative reinforcement are used to motivate kids and promote desired behaviors. Understanding how to use reinforcement to support healthy growth and development is key, so remember: stimuli must only be added or subtracted AFTER the desired behavior is performed.
Positive Reinforcement
A desired behavior leads to the addition of a favorable stimulus. Think of it as additive reinforcement.
Example: A parent praises a child for finishing their homework efficiently and independently. “Well done!”
The behavior generates the addition of a favorable stimulus (praise).
Negative Reinforcement
A desired behavior leads to the subtraction of an unfavorable stimulus. Think of it as subtractive reinforcement.
Example: A teacher tells the students that they will not have weekend homework because their productivity was high during the week.
The behavior generates the subtraction of an unfavorable stimulus (weekend homework).
How Can Reinforcement Help Parents, Teachers, and Kids?
Both positive and negative reinforcement can be effective ways to shape and encourage favorable behavior.
But a good concept can be misused.
With positive reinforcement, be careful not to rely on consumerism to motivate kids. It can work in some circumstances, but it often creates unsustainable expectations of external fulfillment. The goal is to help kids develop intrinsic motivation from external encouragement. This is done by using thoughtful and behavior-specific stimuli. For example, praise should be genuine and personalized to the behavior of the child.
If the concept of positive reinforcement becomes overwhelming, consider shifting to negative reinforcement. Negative reinforcement can help parents, teachers, and kids get out of a reward cycle and open up new ways to motivate prosocial behavior. “Let’s tidy your playroom and then be done with chores for the day!” “Let’s skip the afternoon spelling test if we can show cooperative behavior all morning!”
What to Do When Undesired Behavior Arises?
Undesired behavior does not elicit stimuli, but adults should exercise flexible discretion to encourage children try again. This promotes a growth mindset.
Here is an example of withholding additive stimuli in positive reinforcement: “You didn’t write your name on your homework, so I can’t give you a sticker today, but let’s try again tomorrow!”
Here is an example of withholding subtractive stimuli in negative reinforcement: “You didn’t walk in the hall quietly like I asked, so we will still have silent reading this afternoon.”
Talk About It!
Collaborate with kids to understand what kind of things motivate them, but be careful not to fall into an unsustainable reward cycle by using stimuli that is too elaborate or impractical.
Examples of Reinforcement (delivered after the desired behavior is performed):
high five (+)
praise (+)
sticker (+)
playground (+)
break from chores (-)
end a time out (-)
cessation of nagging (-)
reduced homework (-)
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REFERENCES
Behavior modification. (2024, January 1). PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29083709/
High fives and praises: how to use positive reinforcement with kids. (2023, November 2). Dayton Children’s Hospital. https://www.childrensdayton.org/the-hub/oosblog-high-fives-and-praises-how-use-positive-reinforcement-kids
Staddon, J. E. R., & Cerutti, D. T. (2003). Operant conditioning. Annual Review of Psychology, 54(1), 115–144. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.54.101601.145124
The IRIS Center. (2021). Reinforcement: positive versus negative. In iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu. https://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/wp-content/uploads/pdf_activities/independent/IA_Reinforcement_Positive_versus_Negative.pdf
