Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site ttidcb.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!ttidca!ttidcb!cushner
From: cushner@ttidcb.UUCP (Jeffrey Cushner)
Newsgroups: net.kids
Subject: Re: Positive Reinforcement
Message-ID: <598@ttidcb.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 30-Dec-85 11:07:54 EST
Article-I.D.: ttidcb.598
Posted: Mon Dec 30 11:07:54 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 31-Dec-85 01:05:16 EST
References: <283@h.cs.cmu.edu> <625@cylixd.UUCP>
Reply-To: cushner@ttidcb.UUCP (Jeffrey Cushner)
Organization: Transaction Technology, Inc. (CitiCorp), Santa Monica
Lines: 34
Summary: 

>Just an open question here to all who are familiar with developmental
>psychology. Once the positive reinforcement is taken away (certainly
>you aren't going to lavish praise on your child EVERY time he doesn't
>defacate on the carpet?), doesn't the behaviour diminish? It would seem
>to me that positive reinforcement would teach the child to do a
>certain thing EXPECTING to be praised for it. Once the praise disappears,
>the child would then have no reason to continue behaving that way.
>
>-----------------------------------------------------------------
>Dave Kirby    ( ...!ihnp4!akgub!cylixd!dave)

Actually, the point is to _reduce_ the amount of praise after the behavior
has changed to the positive.  This will encourage the behavior to improve
and the child will work harder to achieve it.   This principle of
diminishing rewards is very familiar both to skinner freaks and gambling
establishments.  If it didn't work, not many people would spend alot of
money on slot machines and lotteries.
-- 
==============================================================================

			 Jeff Cushner @
			 Citicorp-TTI
			 Santa Monica CA 90405
			 (213) 450-9111 x2273

	      {randvax,trwrb,vortex,philabs}!ttidca!ttidcb!cushner

    *********************************************************************
    ** The above comments do not necessarily reflect the opinions of   **
    ** Citicorp-TTI and if the corporation wants them to, they'll have **
    ** to pay through the nose for the rights!                         **
    *********************************************************************