What is the difference between rewarding children for good behavior and bribing them for it?

Answer 1

timing...

a reward would come after good behavior

a bribe, before...

Answer 2

Bribing is beforehand: "I'll give you thus and so if you behave" and rewarding is after the fact: "you were such a good child that you get this thing as a consequence." As for the result, it's hard to say. Would you work if you were not paid?
If the reward for appropriate behavior is a logical consequence of that behavior (getting to go on more fun outings, because siblings aren't fighting) then I think it's more sound parenting than stuff (you act good in the store, I buy you treats) but both seem to work. It's tricky though.

Answer 3

It's all about timing. If you set it up in advance, it's a reward they have they choice to earn. If you desperately promise something to get them to do or not do something, it's a bribe.



Think of it this way:

1. Someone offers to pay you if you will do X. You do it knowing ahead of time what the reward will be and are paid accordingly.

2. You're doing Y. In order to get you to stop doing Y and do X, a person says they will pay you. You didn't start off knowing what the reward would be for doing which task.

It's a fine line. But basically, if it's offered beforehand, it's a reward. If it's offered during misbehavior, it's a bribe.

Answer 4

Like the other people said, rewarding comes after while bribing comes before. Rewarding is much better because it reinforces good behavior while bribing only makes them behave as long as you promise them something.

Answer 5

I guess I see your point in that they will get something for doing something good, be it before or after. I personally wouldn't be buying/giving things to reward or bribe, praise/acknowledgment should be enough. I would want my children to learn that doing good is the right thing to do for themselves and others, and not because you do it to get something in return. Of course you can give things to your child but not 'because you were good'. If they aren't doing the right thing, then they have consequences. In life there are always consequences but you don't always get rewarded. Life is just like that. Words always say more than gifts.

Answer 6

The same difference as your Job giving you a pay check for doing your responsibilities. Your employer won't bribe you to work. To every choice there is a consequence. If you choose to be late everyday to work you will eventually get fired. On a more positive note...if you choose to work hard and do your very best then eventually you will get a raise. Same with children if they know the rules and the consequences to each rule. then they don't have to be bribed to do what you want them to do..they choose there own out come...

Answer 7

Bribing would generaly be before the fact.
For example, if you had a restriction on tv time, saying "if you are quiet during the party tonight, ill let you watch tv for an extra half hour." rewarding would be not saying the thing before, but instead "wow, you were really good at that party last night, so ill let you have an extra half hour of tv time."
So the primary difference is in the timing of the statement.

Answer 8

the difference is they deserve the reward if you bribe them they don't know what really to do if you give the good ones a reward the bad ones will be better so they can get the reward

Answer 9

A reward is something you give after the good behavior, a bribe is something you give in order to get good behavior.

Answer 10

Rewarding comes after, and a bribe comes before.

Answer 11

Rewarding means you've given them something as a result of some good work they did, or good behaviour that they managed to achieve on their own. (ie: Because you got an A+ on that really hard math test, I'm taking you out to eat tonight. To bribe means you'll give them something if they do what you ask of them. (ie: I'll give you a bowl of ice cream if you can go the rest of the night without screaming or fighting.)

To make a deal on something would be to remind them that they have to do a certain good deed for a certain amount of them for a reward (ie: I'll let you go to summer camp this year on the condition that you improve/maintain your grades this marking period.)