Positive Reinforcement vs. Negative Reinforcement
The concept of reinforcement is an operant conditioning technique, which plays a key role in the behaviourism theory (Vialle, Lysaght & Verenikina, 2012). Operant conditioning is the idea that if a positive response follows a positive behaviour or action, that behaviour or action is more likely to reoccur. This is the same for a negative response following a negative behaviour, but it will decrease the chance of a reoccurrence. This is labelled as positive and negative reinforcement. An example of positive reinforcement would be offering a reward for students who hand in the homework every day. An example of negative reinforcement would be students missing out on the first half of lunch after they have frequently disrupted the class. The response can be physical, such as a reward, an action, such as missing out on recess or verbal feedback. This concept has greatly impacted on education and is apparent in school settings, however, it receives criticism on the lack of intrinsic motivation and how it does not consider the environmental or social impacts on behaviour (Churchill, et. al, 2011).
Here is an interesting article on using a timer to remind the teacher to positively or negatively reinforce behaviour. It shows how setting goals and providing feedback after the set time had a positive influence on classroom behaviour:
. Symonds, H, 2005, ‘Clocking on: using a timer as a behaviour management tool’, Special Education Perspectives, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 28-31 http://search.informit.org/documentSummary;res=AEIPT;dn=144028
Here is an interesting article on using a timer to remind the teacher to positively or negatively reinforce behaviour. It shows how setting goals and providing feedback after the set time had a positive influence on classroom behaviour:
. Symonds, H, 2005, ‘Clocking on: using a timer as a behaviour management tool’, Special Education Perspectives, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 28-31 http://search.informit.org/documentSummary;res=AEIPT;dn=144028
Other Helpful Links:
Cosgrave, G, 2015, Postive Reinforcement, Educate Autism, viewed 8 October 2015, http://www.educateautism.com/behavioural-principles/positive-reinforcement.html
Information and scenarios on using reinforcement
McLeod, S, 2015, Skinner- Operant Conditioning, SimplyPsychology, viewed 8 October 2015, http://www.simplypsychology.org/operant-conditioning.html
Background information and research on the theory
Information and scenarios on using reinforcement
McLeod, S, 2015, Skinner- Operant Conditioning, SimplyPsychology, viewed 8 October 2015, http://www.simplypsychology.org/operant-conditioning.html
Background information and research on the theory