Reinforcement and punishment

When we talk about reinforcement and punishment, most of the teachers confused about this two. Sometimes they confused about the negative reinforcement and punishment at most. But this two are totally different. So in this article I will try to clarify and give some examples that will help you to identify the differences between these two terms.

When we think about the reinforcement, there are two difference types of the reinforcements. They are positive and negative reinforcements. Both types of reinforcements can be used in different situations. Before using, it is very important to have the correct information about it. Teachers should update their knowledge about it and school should take the responsibility of providing information through the professional development days.

Positive reinforcement:  Positive reinforcement is to provide a reward after a behaviour is observed, resulting in the behaviour to be repeated or strengthen. This is giving a thing that is pleasant to the students.

If we give a positive reinforcement means giving them what they want from us. For example; 

·                     Teachers give stars when they complete the home works. 

·                     Teacher praise students when they answer questions, smile, pat students’ shoulder and give presents.

·                     Mother gives a chocolate when they get an 'A' report. 

Teachers, positive reinforcement may encourage students to produce high quality work. Reinforcements given must be clear and systematic.

Negative reinforcement:  This is removing a thing that unpleasant to the students.

If we give a negative reinforcement means removing them what they do not want to keep with them. For example; 

·                     Teachers do not give a home work if they work hard in class.  Students do not like the home works. If we remove homework, that means removing a thing unpleasant to them. So this is a negative reinforcement.

Punishment:  .Punishment means removing a thing that they want. 

For example:

·                     Not give a chance to participate in inter house football competition If they not behave well in school. Students will be very much interested to participate in football competition. But because of their behaviour teachers remove it from them. So it is called a punishment.

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