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Long Term Benefits of Positive Reinforcement vs Negative Reinforcement
Long Term Benefits of Positive Reinforcement vs Negative Reinforcement by J. Richard Kirkham
Over the years of tutoring students with behavior challenges, I’ve noticed a pattern of negative reinforcement by both parents and teachers in an attempt to diminish or stop such behaviors.
Let’s review some basic behavioral reactions from all human beings. This includes both adults and children since these are basic behaviors.
Children and adults avoid negative stimuli.
This includes but is not inclusive to spankings, getting yelled at by the boss, or even disapproving looks.
Children and adults attempt to receive positive stimuli
This includes but is not inclusive to hugs, getting complemented by the boss, or even approving looks.
In the absence of any stimuli children and adults will attempt to create situation wherein responses by authority figures or peers is motivated.
In most cases I’ve witnessed in both children and adults the activity to promote this stimuli tends to be in the form of a negative behavior issue. Again, this applies to both children and adults from throwing paper airplanes to antics at the water cooler at the office.
Why are these behaviors primarily negative?
Let’s consider the way we were raised.
I’ve actually had successful, intelligent parents tell me and I quote one person
“My wife and I don’t believe in rewarding expected behavior.”
What do you believe my former student will do when he/she feels a need for attention? Do well on a test? No, that’s expected. As is behaving in class, in public and basically acting in an appropriate manner in all situations.
I’ve seen the same attitude in over 75% of the parents who hired me to consult with them over email or tutor their child and it’s not the parents fault. Most parents don’t have a background in teaching, counseling or psychology They raise their children, in most cases, the way they were raised. Getting the occasional tip from another parent or television. If the technique the parent uses even temporarily hinders a behavior. They feel successful.
For the most part, if the child has no extreme behaviors, the parents techniques raise a socially acceptable child with average goals in life, but at what loss of potential?
Let’s look inside the mind of a child through adulthood.
Let’s presume he/she has average self-trained parents who understand the benefits of positive reinforcement, but are, for the most part unsure how to execute it and therefore is sporadic at best.
Here’s a scenario;
John gets an A on his test. Parents praise him.
The next class John tries hard though he gets a D. Parents admonish him.
John gets another D in the same class. Parents ground him
John gets yet another D parents take away his hand held gamer
John stops trying in the class
John resorts to acting out for attention in that class
As his peers grow accustom to his behaviors John escalates them in order to receive the same amount of attention.
The parents finally have a meeting with the teacher of that class to find out why John gets into trouble in that class.
This can escalate further but generally doesn’t. Do you now understand, however, why we act out in a negative manner in order to get attention. We keep the traits in us which are reinforced whether this reinforcement consists of negative or positive stimuli.
Let’s now examine some parents who, through classes study or perhaps even buying my book (were they the one’s) understand the importance of consistent positive reinforcement.
John gets a D on his test
A compliment is followed by constructive questions
John changes his study habits
John still gets a D
The parents hit a heavy bag, power-walk and release their stress in constructive ways.
A compliment is followed by constructive questions
The parents have a meeting with John’s teacher for the class.
The teacher works with John.
John probably does better on the next test.
Regardless of the results John still has his support group and is not alone. Which means I probably won’t get the “you’re my last hope” call.
Let’s carry both these scenarios into adulthood
Primarily Negative Stimuli
John graduated high school with B’s and C’s He’s working at a grocery store. He bags groceries and is a hard worker. He does what he’s told at work because he doesn’t want to get into trouble. He shows up to work regularly and has had a few raises.
Scenario with primarily positive reinforcement
John graduated high school with A’s and B’s. He started out bagging groceries. John knew he could do better than that. He worked hard utilizing the same positive reinforcement techniques his parents had utilized with him to improve his self-confidence. The customers, coworkers, and management appreciated his positive attitude and hard work. John asked questions and was not afraid to try or suggest new ways of performing daily tasks at work.
He’s now the manager of the grocery store with a very busy schedule as he is taking college courses in the evening.
Conclusion
Though John’s character is fictional, the results are not. Self-confidence and a lack of fear to attempt to achieve tasks without negative reprisals due to temporary lack of achievement is a must for the building blocks for both leadership and innovation. Without consistent positive reinforcement the child’s chances of realizing this self-confidence to perserveer and to develop and initiate new ideas and methodology is greatly restricted.
Let me conclude with a quote from my book
“Do you want your child to want to do the right thing or be afraid to do the wrong thing?
About the Author
J. Richard Kirkham is a dual certified teacher and martial arts instructor. He has expertise in alternative teaching methods and positive reinforcement methodology. He’s written several books in the printable electronic format and has made downloadable videos and DVDs. One of his books he put his heart and soul into is “Tutoring and Positive Reinforcement Techniques and Methodology for all Parents and Teachers” formerly titled “Raising Your Child to be More Positive and More Confident” Feel free to visit Mr. Kirkham’s website at KirkhamsEbooks.com or you may email him at help@kirkhamsebooks.com
Long Live the “Soft Stuff”: Skipping “Business as Usual” to Ignite Purpose and Optimize Mindset in Today’s Economy
We are in the midst of an exciting, nerve racking and pivotal time right now. I see this in the economy, in business, in leadership, in politics, in families, and in peoples’ senses of purpose and personal values. There’s a lot happening. On one hand I notice a lot of complaining, blaming, making excuses, and fear. And on the other hand, I see a lot of positive and productive percolation, reflection, and action. I notice a lot of dismissing “hype” and inauthenticity, and instead, see people really looking at what matters, what’s real and what’s the bigger purpose – in business and in life. And I feel the buzz. Can you feel it?
I see it as a real opportunity right now. 2010 has been referred to as the year of “making it or breaking it” – meaning it’s the year to DECIDE what will happen for each of us. Do we “give in” and succumb to “more challenging times,” do we get sucked in to “story”, do we blend in, go “beige”? OR do we get into action, ask different questions, work our mindsets and create a new way of “being” in business, a new way of engaging with people, and a new level of energy and success? It’s a decision point year. How and what are you deciding?
Using 3 very different and specific examples of people choosing how to move through their lives and businesses right now, I’ve written an article sharing 3 things to help you explore these questions and your own situation in order to help move your mindset and your organization in the right direction.
A while back, on a flight between New York and Chicago, I sat next to a gentleman who had worked for a major financial firm on Wall Street, and was now unemployed and exploring options. While talking to this gentleman, I was moved by his attitude. He saw this “horrible” situation, which was stressful and would likely have a significant impact on his family (including a possible relocation), as an opportunity to stop, breathe, reassess, and reinvigorate. He said, “I was so caught up in all of this for so many years, in many ways I lost view of what was most important and what I really wanted. I got sucked into the machine. Although I’m scared, I’m secretly excited by what lies ahead. I feel I have a new beginning.” That’s quite a mindset.
Another one of my clients, a senior leader in her organization, recently shared that this is one of the most stressful periods her company has ever known; business is slower, revenues are lower, stress is high. But in many ways, it has also been one of the most rewarding and bonding times, despite layoffs and cuts in spending. How is this possible?
First, she is keenly aware of her mindset and her impact on her team, and does her best to use it all in supportive and productive ways. She and her team proactively seek ways to learn and connect as well as to be more efficient, competitive, and just better. Finally, they’ve made use of their extra time by nurturing customer relationships and taking more personal time for themselves (that they can’t get as easily when they’re really busy.) The result? A more focused and bonded team, a higher and more “awake” level of creativity, recharged employees, advanced solutions for customers, and a higher level of hunger, satisfaction, joy, and appreciation for closing deals and connecting with customers. Once again, a matter of mindset.
Oddly, as I write this article, and prepare to share more examples from clients’ stories, sitting in the car dealership waiting for my brakes to be fixed, I meet Adam, a gentleman back from his second tour in Iraq. Talking to him for over an hour, I discover that what has gotten him through one of the most challenging, horrible, and, unimaginable to many, things a person could ever endure, seems to be, mindset and purpose. Our conversation goes without agenda and by the time his car is ready, I’ve learned new things about his mindset, the mindset of people who meet him (myself included) and what they make up about his experience, as well as what makes him and his fellow troopers feel good and appreciated. Learning a lot about his experience, and more than I’d ever want to know about Camel Spiders (although I couldn’t stop myself from asking or pulling up a picture – which I’ve opted NOT to include here), I get in touch with an even deeper level of awareness for myself that puts me back in touch with the importance of purpose, gratitude, and mindset. (And, of course quickly have to restrain myself from tripling the size of this article.)
These first two scenarios, and the unexpected third, are real examples of people dealing with the stress of business, life, war, the economy, and all things human. How are they doing it? Shared themes are: mindset, gratitude, forward thinking, connection, purpose, and “hunger.” And it’s inspiring, moving, and provocative all at the same time. What a gift.
What I notice with all of these is that it’s the “softer” stuff, the less tangible stuff, that is making better results possible and getting people through their challenges. Gratitude, connection, purpose, mindset, attitude, positive energy, and a “hunger” to be a part of, and make an impact, on something that is even bigger than us…It works, and it offers us an even more powerful and new way of thinking about business and leadership. (I’m waving my “soft stuff” flag over here – can you feel it?) Yes, of course you need the action and the strategic plans and the numbers to work, AND, you need the soft stuff too…now…I’d argue…more than ever.
What are you (and your team, family, children, partners, etc.) doing right now to “work your mindset” and create opportunity in our current economic, political, and business environment? How are you contributing to “helping things go better?” Is your mindset supporting progress, or slowing it down? The opportunities truly are limitless here and do not just come in the form of increasing revenues or productivity, but rather in other meaningful ways such as bonding with and strengthening teams and relationships, igniting higher purpose, connecting with customers, spending more time with family, taking a physical and mental pause to truly check in with yourself, and acknowledging the gifts in all of it.
What’s the first step to doing all this? Decide. Decide to make it work for you. Decide that you want it to be different (of course, only if you do). Get your mindset in order. Tap into your sense of purpose. Connect with your gratitude. Get hungry and go.
Anese Cavanaugh, President of Dare To Engage, Inc., Founder of Bootist Leadership®, and mother of two, gets people “in their boots.” Using energy, mindset, mission, and action, cornerstones of her “Bootist” philosophy, she helps forward-thinking individuals and organizations create positive energy, successful relationships, congruent leadership, and joyful results – wherever they go.
For more about Anese, Bootist Leadership, or Dare To Engage, Inc., or to receive a complimentary copy of Anese’s latest publication, go to www.DareToEngage.com.
Positive Long
Integer index from 4000 points mark the consolidation area, the white sugar rose sharply, while trading volume increased dramatically, from 600,000 the total open interest increased to the level of hand more than 800,000 hand level; from a fundamental perspective, Qinghai meeting clearly state Reserve not throw this year, but only place reserves in Guangxi Sugar’s move will undoubtedly put on the market to eat a reassurance to the market, long-term support of positive focus on the outbreak of sugar bull market, investors are expected to continue to higher sugar prices.
Throw dust settles Reserve Sugar Association
enlarged third four members held in Xining, Qinghai, Guangxi, where a clear decision of the Conference reserves put sugar in batches, the state in order to ensure smooth operation of the market, do not let the recent storage.
From the end of July statistics, the large group average Sell Price of 3399 yuan / ton, in accordance with the cost of 3450 yuan / ton basis, the sugar industry is still in the red. China’s implementation of a national reserve of sugar system has two main objectives, one at a reasonable price to protect the effective supply of sugar, and second, to protect our sugar business and the interests of sugarcane farmers, to ensure the sustainable development of the sugar industry. Sugar control policy objectives from our point of view, throwing the future savings goal should be to ensure the effective supply of sugar. Sugar from the national reserve system
policy objectives and the current sugar situation overall is still at a loss, the State put in reserves should be to ensure that sugar is running high price case, to meet actual market demand as the basis for running. Analysis of the national sugar production and marketing
As of July 2009, the national total of 10,074,800 tons of sugar sales, production and marketing rate reached 81.04 percent sugar, industrial surplus stock 2,356,400 tons; July monthly sales of the country 947,500 tons of sugar.
Sugar production is declining dramatically in the years in China, in July the national sugar production and sales data; and vice versa in the 2007/2008 crop season in July after the national launch of national and local purchasing and storage of Guangxi, the national sugar industry stocks are still up to 3.3634 million tons, the national sugar industry of this crop season inventory remaining 2,356,400 tons, the late spot of sugar supply and demand gap appears certain.
2009/2010 crop season acreage decreased
Sugar from Qinghai was informed that, according to the Ministry of Agriculture on the agricultural condition of the preliminary data shows that sugar cultivation area of 2695 mu, down 289 million mu.
Yunnan: the Ministry of Agriculture statistics for 2009/2010 crop season was 457.7 mu of cultivated area of sugarcane, sugar cane growing area statistics over the previous year 466.7 million mu. It is noteworthy that the data has been added this year’s sugar cane country around the end face, if not included, only 443 million mu in Yunnan province less than last year.
Guangxi: present from the sugar industry reflect the situation, the planting area may be reduced in general, the departments concerned in the online publication of data is 1515 mu.
Guangdong: 09/10 Raw material Sugarcane planting area of 200 mu, 4.3% reduction, which Zhanjiang 157.73, a decrease of 8 mu, Zhanjiang, more rain now estimated yield will be increased, production is estimated to be flat in Guangdong.
Hainan: the province of 103 million mu of cultivated area, and consistent with agricultural statistics. Last year compared with the sown area of water, less 22 acres, of which 20 acres of new planting, 22 mu of paddy fields.
Rising international price of sugar makes the opportunity to reduce imports
Gap currently projected 7.8 million tons of international sugar, the next crop season market supply and demand in the international market gap still exists, the price is expected, the international price of sugar is still high level trend in the international market in October 20.81 cents, processed into refined sugar and costs more to 5200, and import fewer opportunities.
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