Positive ReinforcementPositive reinforcement works by presenting a motivating item to a child after the desired behavior is exhibited.
ex. A mother gives her child candy after he picks up his toys. The boy learns that cleaning up his room will lead to getting a peice of candy. He will be more likely to clean his room the next time he is asked. |
Negative ReinforcementNegative reinforcement is when certain stimulus/item is removed after a particular behavior is exhibited.
ex. Jessica always complains of a headache before she does her homework. Jessica's parents let her go to bed without doing the homework. Jessica then learns that if she does not want to do homework all she has to do is complain of a headache. |
The entire goal of positive reinforcement is to get children to focus on aceptable behavior instead of punishing after an undesired behavior is exhibited. Punishment can sometimes reinforce bad behaviors if the child gets their desired result.
For example: A child does not want to play in the gym. He throws a fit and you sit him in timeout. The tantrum is rewarded because the child does not have to play the game.
For example: A child does not want to play in the gym. He throws a fit and you sit him in timeout. The tantrum is rewarded because the child does not have to play the game.