In the behaviorist learning theory, the idea is to create specific behaviors through rewards for wanted behaviors and consequences for unwanted behaviors. When it is applied to a classroom setting, it becomes a method of operant conditioning. It is used to not to help children understand the benefits of following the rules through a logical debate, but through the use of positive and negative reinforcement.
- Using Negative Reinforcement In The Classroom
- Negative Reinforcement In The Classroom Examples
- Positive Punishment Examples
With the behaviorist learning theory in the classroom, there are four basic types of reinforcement that can be used.
Reinforcement is a consequence following a behavior that increases the probability that the behavior will increase in the future. In addition to keeping behavior under control, reinforcement in the classroom should be used to keep students engaged and motivated to learn. Negative Reinforcement in the Classroom Teachers can use negative reinforcement to motivate students and change their behavior. For example, a teacher can eliminate that night's homework if kids study hard and accomplish a lot in class. 25) Aims of the Research The research is motivated by the following aims i. To highlight the pros and cons of positive and negative reinforcement on language learning ii. To make the teachers aware that how do they bring about fear and withdrawal in the students through negative reinforcement.
- Positive Reinforcement. This is an immediate reinforcement of a wanted behavior when it is observed. Giving a student verbal praise for a wanted behavior is a common form of positive reinforcement that teachers offer to students.
- Negative Reinforcement. Instead of offering a student a compliment, this type of reinforcement tells a student that their behavior is not wanted. The goal isn’t to embarrass the student, but to offer an alternative behavior that could bring about a desired reward.
- Presentation Punishment. This option is often used as a form of showing an entire class what will create a negative reinforcement response. If Johnny keeps yelling during story time, a teacher might bring the student up to the front of the class and then tell Johnny that his behavior is inappropriate at that moment. The goal here is to embarrass the student, but to also encourage other students not to be embarrassed by not replicating Johnny’s behavior.
- Removal Reinforcement. This may be used by removing a disruptive student with negative behaviors from the classroom. It may also be used through a period of negotiation so that a teacher gets what they want, but a student can also have something that they want.
Using Negative Reinforcement In The Classroom
Each reinforcement opportunity has specific benefits and disadvantages that must be considered before it is implemented in a classroom setting.
Pros and Cons of Positive Reinforcement
Pros
It offers an immediate reinforcement of a wanted behavior. Specific statements of praise help to reinforce the compliment being offered. Specific actions, such as “clipping up” or “earning a star,” can also be included to initiate rewards.
Cons
Some students aren’t motivated by rewards. They don’t care about the classroom setting and will not respond to the positive reinforcement opportunities.
Pros and Cons of Negative Reinforcement
Negative Reinforcement In The Classroom Examples
Pros
It creates an immediate “consequence” for an unwanted behavior. Some students may hear this consequence and not want to have it themselves, which will modify their behavior. It can create immediate change within a student who is motivated by rewards.
Cons
Some students are not motivated by a negative reinforcement either. “Who cares what you think?” Their behaviors are more about their individual needs and those needs don’t involve the classroom setting.
Pros and Cons of Presentation Punishment
Pros
It impacts the entire classroom. You’re able to modify the behavior of a large group by using an unwanted behavior from one individual. It can address a specific and potentially dangerous unwanted behavior immediately.
Cons
It causes the student being used as a presentation to be targeted by other students. They may make fun of that student or not want to be associated with them. Some students are sensitive and may resent being used as an example toward other students, which increases the number and the aggressiveness of their unwanted individuals.
Pros and Cons of Removal Reinforcement
Pros
It is a way to meet the needs of a specific student without disrupting the entire class. It may remove an unwanted behavior from the classroom immediately. Removal minimizes impact while allowing learning progression. It takes away something that a student sees as “good,” which encourages them to “earn it back” with wanted behaviors.
Cons
It may encourage a student to continue offering unwanted behaviors so they can get their way. They learn that there is a direct connection between behaving “badly” and getting what they want. It may cause other students in the classroom setting to behave in the same way so they can receive “special treatment” as well.
Which Option Is Right for Teachers Today?
Teachers should be using all of these options when appropriate to address wanted and unwanted behaviors in the classroom. The goal should always be to avoid an unpleasant consequence, but sometimes a punishment is necessary to remove an unwanted behavior. Teachers should never belittle a student. They should always be looking for a way to generate a positive outcome.
And behaviorist learning theory in the classroom works best when an individualized approach is taken. A group consequence creates resentment in students who weren’t involved. Group rewards only reinforce unwanted behaviors in those who weren’t meeting expectations. By finding the middle ground, the classroom can really become a good learning environment.
It helps to explore some examples of negative reinforcement, a concept of operant conditioning that people frequently misunderstand. Learn what negative reinforcement is and see how it works in practice.
What Negative Reinforcement Is and Is Not
Negative reinforcement is about encouragement. The American Psychological Association (APA) reports that it has to do with removing a negative or unpleasant stimulus from a situation in response to someone's action. Because the negative stimulus is removed, the person or animal wants to keep doing the action that removed it.
It's also important to understand what negative reinforcement is not:
- Negative reinforcement is not a negative thing. Instead, it's about removing a negative thing.
- Negative reinforcement is not the same as punishment or a negative consequence for an action.
- Negative reinforcement is not the opposite of positive reinforcement. Both types of reinforcement encourage a behavior.
- Negative reinforcement does not reinforce negative behavior. It reinforces the behavior that removes the negative stimulus.
Seven Good Examples of Negative Reinforcement
Because negative reinforcement can be a confusing concept, examples are the best way to understand how it works. You'll see negative reinforcement in a variety of contexts.
Negative Reinforcement in the Classroom
Teachers can use negative reinforcement to motivate students and change their behavior. For example, a teacher can eliminate that night's homework if kids study hard and accomplish a lot in class. If this happens multiple times, the kids will consistently work harder and be more productive while in the classroom.
Workplace Example of Negative Reinforcement
At work, negative reinforcement can boost productivity or sales. For instance, at a manufacturing company, employees must attend work five days a week, eight hours a day.
However, to encourage greater productivity, a supervisor might reduce work hours for the final week of the month. If employees meet a production goal, they won't have to spend as much time at work.
Negative Reinforcement at Home
You'll also find negative reinforcement in effect at home. Imagine you sleep in the same room with someone who snores loudly. It keeps you awake every night, and you're exhausted. You buy a pair of earplugs and try sleeping while wearing them. The earplugs remove the sound of the snoring, so you begin to use them every night.
Example of Negative Reinforcement With Animals
Negative reinforcement is a possible way to train animals too. For instance, teaching a dog to heel may involve keeping tension on the dog's leash as you walk together. The dog does not enjoy this tension and may even find it uncomfortable.
Positive Punishment Examples
However, if the dog walks closer to the trainer's heel, the tension is reduced on the leash. The dog is more comfortable and learns to walk closer to the trainer when commanded to heel.
Example of Negative Reinforcement in Parenting
Parenting offers many great opportunities for negative reinforcement in real life. For example, imagine a toddler who doesn't like sleeping through the night. He wakes multiple times every night and cries until his mother comes in to rock him back to sleep.
He is effectively training his mother by negative reinforcement because every time she comes in to rock him to sleep, he stops crying.
Negative Reinforcement While Driving
Another everyday example of negative reinforcement comes when you're driving. Imagine you drive through rush hour traffic to get to work. Your commute is very stressful and takes you two hours every morning. You get frustrated and try a different route to get there.
This route has very little traffic, and you make it to work in 45 minutes. You get the same results later in the week. To save time, you start taking this new route everyday. Removing the negative stimulus of the bad traffic changes your behavior.
Negative Reinforcement in Relationships
Imagine you are a very jealous person in a relationship. You constantly worry that your partner is unfaithful, so much so that it's difficult for you to concentrate on other things. One day, you discover you can track your partner's movements on his or her phone. You do this and are reassured your partner is not cheating on you.
The next day, you repeat the behavior and feel better again. Soon, each day, you are checking up on your partner. While this may not be a positive behavior in a relationship, it does remove the negative stimulus of the anxiety that your partner is unfaithful.
Just One Way to Change Behavior
Negative reinforcement is just one way to change behavior. In fact, the study of behaviorism involves many experiments and different behavior modification strategies. Read up on all the research to figure out which type of reinforcement works best for your situation.
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