how do i practice "Positive Reinforcement"?

Question

i've come to realize that it is human nature to negatively reinforce; u get angry, upset, condescending, lecturing when someone does "wrong"...and when they do "right", it is just assumed they "should" act that way, OR u only praise above average behavior. how do i practice positively reinforcing people around me, daily...i want to be able to positively reinforce my (future) children....

Answer 1

You have confused "negative reinforcement" with punishment. ANY reinforcement, by definition, increases the likelihood of the behavior that occurred immediately prior to it of recurring. "Negative" reinforcement, altho it appears to be a contradiction in terms, is merely the removal of a noxious stimulus in response to the desired behavior occurring.

At any rate, if you want to positively reinforce behavior, you should introduce a pleasant stimulus in response to any desired behavior. This can be a word of praise, money, etc. Reward works most strongly when it is administered on what is called an intermittent reinforcement schedule. This means you don't do it EVERY time, just now and then and unpredictably. This will give you the greatest likelihood to see the desired outcome. Think of it in terms of a slot machine. People play them cuz every once in awhile someone gets a bit payoff!!

Answer 2

In general human's are very negative due to how society has evolved into a decay in morality. The negative has become so much a part of our every day acceptence that it is rediculous. The school shootings are just a small example of how far things have become.

The positive reinforcing comes from within you as a individual. The simple fact that you have already taken the first step by coming forward and speaking about it. You could be 1 person who can change many back into the way life should be, and have it be a world of polite and positive surroundings on all levels.

Start with the theory of "playing it forward" by giving others such amazing praise for the smallest things you could imagine. Get some flowers and give them to a stranger and compliment strangers on anything that comes to mind. You be the person to make the difference and perhaps it will get infectious and the 2 people will do it, then 4 people then 8, etc. Calendar it into your PDA's to do it to 1 person each day as a goal. Call someone on the phone and praise them for anything, large or small.

This goes out to each of the readers as well. PLAY IT FORWARD and show someone else, a stranger or especially a loved one, how fabulous they are. It makes those people feel wonderful, but it makes YOU feel like a hero in your heart.

One step at a time, one person at a time. Life can be changed back to positive reinforment with such little efforts.

With this answer, I would like to tell each reader, I feel there is a good nature inside each of you and I am honoured to have crossed your paths and may you have enormous wealth and health and love in your lives. Peace to you all. gidget

Answer 3

You can do the opposite of negative reinforcement. Give encouraging words when something you like is done. When something is done that you don't approve of speak your mind, but do it in love, and tell the person what may have been a better approach. How you can practice positive reinforcement in found in one book, the Bible, follow it and see.

Answer 4

Complments help. Positive observations, too. All people want to be appreciated, so show some gratitude. This motivates people to feel good about themselves, and to want to perform. It is a form of recognition that we all crave, that appeals to our sense of intrinsic rewards. It doesn't work for everybody, though. Some are only motivated by extrinsic rewards, so if that's the case, try money or material goodies. As far as your future children, you should reinforce the intrinsic rewards. Don't teach them to be materialistic or "entitled". Teach them to feel good about about doing something well, for the sake of it rather then when prize they will get.

Answer 5

OK say your kid get a b on a spelling test you could say good gob but if u try a little harder u could get an b+ or even an a always use a clam voice and always say something good in the end to try to help keep there spirits high

or if u are out to eat and they get your order wrong u can say excuse me but this was done wrong could u please fix it for me politeness always works

Answer 6

Well don't encourage someone who is negative.

for ex. if someone says something bad about another person don't listen to it. it's gossip. instead try to change that to a positive action.

Answer 7

think good thoughts...look on the bright side of things...(like if someone blames you for a mistake and it is actually your fault, admit the fault, sincerely apologize and sincerely try to do better)...and be willing to forgive others and support others...
avoid looking at "the glass as half empty" and try to look at "the glass as half full"...I hope this helps.