Reply #164: YES. Pos & neg reinforcement and neg punishment is preferable, but [View All]

[aikoaiko]

positive punishment (e.g., spanking) is a strategy of last resort. Positive punishment is effective in the shortterm , but will backfire if not replaced coupled with the other three types of response-contingencies.

In truth, not all children are the same and not all parents are the same (temperments, parenting skills, stess level, aggression, etc.). Its the parents job to control their kids behavior. Some parents will never have to spank their kids, but then again, they might if they had different kids. Most of the time its better to use alternatives to spanking when generally teaching your kids desired behavior, but sometimes corporal punishment may be necessary.


Terms:

Positive Reinforcement: Consequating a behavior by adding a stimulus or activity that leads to increases in that behavior in the future.

Negative Reinforcement: Consequating a behavior by taking away a stimulus or activity that leads to increases in that behavior in the future.

Negative Punishment: Consequating a behavior by taking away a stimulus or activity that leads to decreases in that behavior in the future.

Positive Punishment: Consequating a behavior with a stimulus or activity that leads to decreases in that behavior in the future.