Positive Reinforcement: Strengthening Behaviour With Desirable Stimulus - Research Paper

Introduction

Reinforcement means strengthening, and it is applied in psychology in referring to any stimulus that increases or enhances the possibility of an appropriate response. Skinner contends that the most efficient means of teaching an animal or person new behavior is using positive reinforcement, where a desirable stimulus is added for increasing behavior (Skinner, 1963). Punishment, on the other hand, always decreases response negatively. According to Skinner, while punishment is useful in some situations, using punishment needs to be weighed against the potential adverse impacts. Modern parenting experts and psychologists prefer reinforcement to punishment. They suggest that when a parent catches his or her child doing something right, they should give rewards for the behavior.

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In "The Difference between Positive/Negative Reinforcement and Positive/Negative Punishment," the author agrees to the opinions of Skinner on the use of punishment and reinforcement as parenting tools for the modification of children's behavior. In behavioral psychology, reinforcement refers to the introduction of favorable conditions, which improves the chances of the occurrence of the desired behavior. Positive reinforcement refers to the addition of a pleasant stimulus for enhancement of behavior. The article provides examples such as a father praising the son for taking part in soccer, where the pleasant stimulus is praise while the desired behaviour is practice soccer. While the objective of reinforcement is instilling the desired response, the aim of punishment is making undesired behavior less likely to occur. The article continues to support the ideas of Skinner that while reinforcement increases behavior, punishment decreases behavior (Parenting For Brain, 2013).

Morin (2019), in her article on "Using Positive Reinforcement to Improve Behaviour," emphasizes the preference of reinforcement over punishment as the best parenting tool. According to Morin (2019), when a child misbehaves, rewards are the last thing which one thinks about. However, positive reinforcement is the most efficient technique for the modification of behavior. A parent utilizes positive reinforcement in encouraging prosocial behaviors such as following or sharing directions. At the same time, positive reinforcement is useful in preventing misbehavior. Additionally, positive reinforcement is an efficient means of encouraging the child to have more responsibility. For children, there are many ways of reinforcing positive behavior. A child's behavior is positively reinforced by offering praise, giving a hug, cheering, or clapping. The examples of reinforced behaviors are completing chores, compliance with requests instantly, and using manners, among others. Therefore, whenever a child learns a new behavior or works on a particular skill, there is a need for offering positive reinforcement consistently. At the same time, it is critical for parents to avoid accidental reinforcement of harmful behavior. Attention is very reinforcing, and it has the same impacts as giving in. For example, when a parent informs a child that he or she cannot go outside, the child pleads and begs until the parent gives in, the whining is positively reinforced.

Fitter (2017) provides a more accurate account in support of the case of reinforcement of children over punishing them. Parenting is underlined by discipline, and when used liberally or sparingly, understanding the ways of disciplining a child is crucial to the parent-child relationship. Discipline is all about choices and consequences. The objective of these consequences is encouraging the child to stop harmful behavior, making positive choices, and finally becoming a better individual. Through discipline, children are taught honesty, kindness, and responsibility. Whenever children follow the rules, teachings, and guidance of their parents, they have more chance of growing up respectful and well-behaved people. Recent studies have shown that corporal punishment has adverse effects on their kids. Unlike punishment, discipline is not about overreacting. The need to punish comes when a parent feels hurt by the child's behavior, where he lashes out with impulsivity or in anger. Punishment does not teach lessons. Instead, a parent caught up in the punishment mindset finds it had to engage in rational thinking or to show compassion when evaluating ways of punishing the child. However, treating a child respectfully, talking to him, and discussing the situation changes inappropriate behaviors into learning opportunities. Moreover, punishment only leads to the development of a relationship based on fear. A parent who regularly punishes the child fosters fear. When a parent is unpredictable and aggressive, the child becomes worried and fearful over the next course of action. This fear and anxiety grow with the child, which is not suitable for his or her future development.

Conclusion

Conclusively, the best parenting tool for parents is reinforcement. While the objective of reinforcement is instilling the desired behavior, the aim of punishment is making undesired behavior less likely to occur. Positive reinforcement is an efficient means of encouraging the child to have more responsibility. The objective of these consequences is helping the child to stop negative behavior, making positive choices, and finally becoming a better individual. Punishment only leads to the development of a relationship based on fear. Moreover, punishment does not teach lessons, and it is all about overreacting. Through discipline, children are taught honesty, kindness, and responsibility. Therefore, the best way to positively influence a child's behavior is through reinforcement and not punishment.

References

Skinner, B. F. (1963). Operant behavior. American Psychologist, 18(8), 503. Retrieved from https://social.stoa.usp.br/articles/0016/2394/Skinner_B._F._Operant_Behavior.pdf

Parenting For Brain. (2013, February 5). The Difference between Positive/Negative Reinforcement and Positive/Negative Punishment [Web log post]. Retrieved from https://www.parentingforbrain.com/difference-between-positive-negative-reinforcement-and-punishment/

Fitter, J. S. (2017, April 12). How to Discipline Your Child Without Punishing Them [Web log post]. Retrieved from https://www.workingmother.com/content/5-reasons-discipline-your-kids-not-punish-them

Morin, A. (2019, July 5). Improve Your Child's Behavior Problems With Positive Reinforcement [Web log post]. Retrieved from https://www.verywellfamily.com/positive-reinforcement-child-behavior-1094889