Parents have long known that children respond to a system of rewards and punishments. While to say that this is a simplification of the theories of famed behaviourist B.F. Skinner would be an understatement it is accurately descriptive of the most basic aspect of his beliefs. Operant behaviour and operant conditioning, Skinnner's most widely acclaimed work, is based on a system of both positive and negative reinforcement.
Operant Behaviour and Conditioning
While it is commonly known that behaviour is affected by its consequences, Skinner's theory of operant conditioning further states that the process does not require repeated efforts, but is instead an immediate reaction to a familiar stimulus. In an experiment with a rat using food as a reward (which would work for many of us, as well!), the rat was placed in a box and over the course of a few days, food was occasionally delivered through an automatic dispenser. Before long, the rat approached the food tray as soon as the sound of the dispenser was heard, clearly anticipating the arrival of more food. In the next step of the experiment, researchers raised a small lever on the wall of the box and when the rat touched it, the food dispenser provided a snack. After the first self-induced meal, the rat repeatedly touched the lever in order to get more food (smart rat!). To the hungry rodent, the sound of the dispenser became a reinforcer when it was first associated with feedings and continued to be so until after a while, researchers stopped providing food when the lever was pressed. Soon after that, the rat stopped touching the lever.
Positive and Negative Reinforcers
Reinforcers can be positive or negative and both are used to strengthen behaviour. Unlike animals, humans (the big ones as well as the little ones) often respond to verbal operants, taking advice, listening to the warnings of others, and obeying given rules and laws, even without having personally experienced any negative consequences from disobeying. The knowledge of what could happen if certain behaviours are chosen can be enough to keep us from acting in certain ways. Although this isn't always the case, with many lessons being learned "the hard way," the ability to benefit from the experiences of others as examples is a uniquely human characteristic.
One of the aspects important to human behaviour, though, is the feelings associated with behaviour that is controlled by conditioning. When previous behaviours have been rewarded, children are likely to repeat those behaviours happily and willingly, feeling that they are doing what they 'want' to be doing. If, on the other hand, children choose behaviours in order to avoid a repeat of negative reinforcement, they may behave appropriately, but will be inclined to feel that their freedoms are being squelched. In reality, the actual freedom still exists, of course. Children, like the rest of us, are free to behave in any manner that we choose, as long as we are willing to accept the consequences of our actions.
Behaviour Modification
Behaviour modification typically consists of changing the consequences of an action or applying new consequences to guide behaviour. In the past, most parents chose to control the behaviour of their children by using negative reinforcement, that is, misbehaviour or disregarding house rules resulted in punishments. Today, many parents (and even school systems and other childhood authorities) are inclined to provide positive reinforcement to encourage good behaviour, reserving negative reinforcement techniques only as a last resort. While the results are not usually as immediate, they are typically seen as healthier, providing children with appropriate behavioural guidelines while allowing them their dignity.
Applying Behaviour Modification
Obviously, it benefits both children and their parents when positive reinforcement techniques are chosen as a means of guiding children's behaviours, making for a more pleasant and respectfully run household. Even babies and very young children respond well to a system where rewards exists, repeating behaviours when they elicit big smiles and hugs from Mum and Dad. As children grow, using positive reinforcement to encourage appropriate behaviour can help parents to encourage their kids continued cooperation.
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