Positive And Negative Reinforcers For Your Child

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Positive And Negative Reinforcers For Your Child

• Psychology 121

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Positive Reinforcers

• Strengthens a behavior because a positive
  condition is introduced or experienced as a
  consequence of the behavior.

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Negative Reinforcer

• Strengthens a behavior because a negative
  condition is stopped or avoided as a consequence
  of the behavior.

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Punishment

• Weakens a behavior because a negative condition
  is introduced or experienced as a consequence of
  the behavior.

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Reinforcements (Adult Examples)
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What is it?

• A child eats a candy bar and experiences a good
  taste.

This is Positive Reinforcement a desirable
behavior is followed by a pleasant consequence.
But what happens if that candy bar was eaten
because of hunger?
This then turns into Negative Reinforcement an
unpleasant situation was followed by a desirable
behavior which made the unpleasant situation go
away.
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What is it?

• Your child hits another child while playing.
  Your child must take a 10 minute time-out.

An undesirable behavior is followed by an adverse
consequence this is a punishment.
But your child knows that if he/she sits still
and doesnt cry or complain, you will let them
out five minutes early
This is a negative reinforcement an unpleasant
situation is followed by a desired behavior which
makes the unpleasant situation go away.
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What is it?

• Your child gets a star on his behavior chart for
  the day (meaning he didnt misbehave at all for
  the day) and you give him 30 minutes extra TV
  time.

This is a positive reinforcement a desired
behavior is followed by a pleasant consequence.
But your child also knows that if you would have
got one more phone call from his teacher while
you were at work, he was grounded for a week
The unpleasant situation was followed by a
desirable behavior which made the unpleasant
situation go away this is a negative
reinforcement.
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Wrong Use of Reinforcement

• Your child cries, I cant do it and you promise
  to buy him a toy if he tries. Instead of
  rewarding your child for trying, you are actually
  reinforcing the solicitation of toys. So next
  time your child cries, I cant do it, he or she
  may be expecting a toy in return.

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Wrong Use of ReinforcementRewarding vs. Bribing

• Use rewards when you feel your child has
  completed a difficult task, such as making the
  honor roll at school. This does not mean
  offering them gifts, money, or treats for tasks
  you expect your child to do on a daily basis.

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Variable Schedule of Reinforcement

• After your childs desirable behavior becomes
  habitual, switch to this type of reinforcement.
  This is a reward that is completely random. Your
  child will want the surprise reward so they
  will continue the behavior. You no longer have
  to reward every time the behavior occurs though.

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Things To Try At Home

• Face your child and maintain eye contact.

• Always allow your child to finish talking and
  complete his/her statements.

• Labeling is disabling label the behavior
  instead of the child. Incorrect Billy, you are
  a bad boy. Correct Billy, it is irresponsible
  to leave your toys all over the place.

• Help your child learn to talk positively.

• Try to start your statements with a reinforcer,
  such as, Sara, you are a very bright girl now,
  lets talk about the best way to get your
  homework finished. People are more responsive
  to positive statements, but make sure your
  compliments are truthful. Children, as well as
  adults, will see through false flattery.

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Things To Try At Home

• Be firm and consistent.

• Give your child chores starting when theyre
  young. Chores build self-discipline and a sense
  of responsibility, but remember that he/she may
  need many calm reminders to complete them.

• Accept the fact that children need to be told
  things over and over. If you have to repeat a
  direction, say it as if it were the first time.

• A short list of chores is better than a long,
  possibly confusing or frustrating, list. In
  general, lists (in either words or pictures) are
  better than simply telling your child what to do
  because a list addresses two learning styles
  auditory and visual and a list lets your child
  be in control by checking off each task as he/she
  completes it.

• Remember that some kids do not process multiple
  requests quickly or accurately. Get your childs
  attention first, and never shout from one room
  to the other.

• Speak slowly it will help your child absorb more
  of what you are saying.