How to Use Positive Reinforcement

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People tend to repeat behaviors that are followed by what they perceive as a positive consequence. This type of learning falls under operant conditioning and is known as positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement can be blatant or subtle, but we use it in some way every day. Don't let the name fool you, some behaviors learned this way are not "good". I'll give you two examples of how to use positive reinforcement, one resulting in a "good" behavior and the other in a "bad" behavior.

Little Tommy has an elderly neighbor who is having a hard time doing simple yard work. Without being asked, he offers to help her rake her leaves.

Little Sally isn't a very happy child and starts to pick on another little girl on the playground.

Tommy and Sally's behaviors are both voluntary, no one asked them to perform these behaviors. Targeting a "good" behavior that you want to see repeated is the first step in positive reinforcement. Unfortunately, responding to a "bad" behavior can also be perceived as positive.

Tommy's neighbor is very grateful. She thanks him and his parents tell him they are very proud of him for being so thoughtful. This is the positive reinforcement.

The little girl Sally picked on starts crying. Other kids on the playground are laughing at the crying girl. Sally feels better having made someone else unhappier than she was. Sally feels popular and happier now. This is the positive reinforcement.

Both children perceived the consequences of their behaviors as positive. This positive reinforcement results in the behavior being repeated at some point. If the behavior continues to receive what they perceive as positive reinforcement, it will happen yet again. Before long, it becomes second nature (or habit if you prefer).

Extinction of the behavior will gradually occur if positive reinforcement is not given enough times to support the positive feeling. If Tommy starts to feel unappreciated, he will eventually stop helping. If the other kids stop laughing about the bullying and paying attention to Sally, or if she no longer receives emotional satisfaction from it, the behavior will stop.

Punishment and/or what is perceived as a negative response to a behavior will also eventually undo the positive reinforcement.

Bullying is a behavior that should never be tolerated. This example was used to show how positive reinforcement does not always result in acceptable behavior.

Do not use positive reinforcement to further dangerous or illegal behavior.