The question that I have is how is a positive reinforcement going to teach a child or person not to repeat the wrong behavior.
Read, read, read ... and let us know what you decide to write.
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http://drdavespsychologypage.homestead.com/Reinforcement__Controlling_Behavior.pdf
http://drdavespsychologypage.homestead.com/Reinforcement__Random.pdf
Be aware that even mere attention can be a reinforcer.
Positive reinforcement is a technique that involves rewarding desired behaviors in order to encourage their repetition. While positive reinforcement focuses on reinforcing the right behavior, it does not directly address how to discourage or reduce wrong behavior. However, by understanding the consequences and principles of behavior, positive reinforcement can indirectly help teach a child or person not to repeat the wrong behavior.
To address the issue of discouraging wrong behavior, it is important to differentiate between positive reinforcement and punishment. Positive reinforcement aims to increase the occurrence of a desired behavior by providing a reward or positive consequence. Punishment, on the other hand, aims to decrease undesirable behavior by applying negative consequences.
Here are some explanations on how positive reinforcement can be applied to discourage wrong behavior:
1. Teach alternative behaviors: When using positive reinforcement, you can focus on teaching and reinforcing alternative behaviors that are incompatible with the wrong behavior. By providing praise or rewards for performing the correct behavior, the individual is more likely to engage in the desired behavior rather than the wrong one.
2. Ignore the wrong behavior: In some cases, wrong behavior may be triggered by a desire for attention. If the wrong behavior is relatively minor and non-harmful, you can choose to ignore it and instead provide attention and reinforcement when the individual engages in the appropriate behavior. This approach helps to shift the individual's focus towards the desired behavior.
3. Combine positive reinforcement with corrective feedback: While positive reinforcement should primarily focus on reinforcing correct behavior, it is important to provide corrective feedback when wrong behavior occurs. Combining positive reinforcement with constructive feedback can help the individual understand the distinction between the desired and undesired behaviors. This feedback should be provided in a calm and non-punitive manner, emphasizing the correct behavior and explaining why the wrong behavior is not appropriate.
In summary, positive reinforcement alone may not directly teach a child or person not to repeat wrong behavior. However, it can be used in combination with teaching alternative behaviors, ignoring minor wrong behaviors, and providing corrective feedback to indirectly discourage the repetition of wrong behavior. The key is to be consistent, patient, and clear in communicating expectations and reinforcing desired behaviors.