Deborah, After teaching behaviorism for a while, I have learned that students confuse negative reinforcement because people do not generally understand the term. I teach Child Development, mostly pre-service teachers, who are the worst culprits.
I always remind the students repeatedly that reinforcement continues a behavior. Say that at least ten times during the lecture. My favorite example is the buzzing noise that your car makes until you fasten your seatbelt. As soon as it is fastening the buzzing stops. This is negative reinforcement because you continue to fasten your seatbelt in order to make the annoying buzzing go away. Punishment is always aimed at reducing or eliminating a behavior. Hopefully, the responses you've received will continue your posting (Positive reinforcement). If they're really bad, you might stay away (punishment). Rob Rob Weisskirch, MSW, Ph.D. Human Development Program Liberal Studies Institute, Building 15 100 Campus Center California State University, Monterey Bay Seaside, CA 93955-8001 (831) 582-5079 [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
