Reinforcement and punishment

Differences between reinforcement and punishment

When we talk about reinforcement and punishment, most of the teachers confused about this two. Some times 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 this two terms.

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

Lets discuss in short:

Positive reinforcement:  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 starts when they complete the home works. 
• Mother gives a chocolate when they get an 'A' report. 

Students want starts from  teachers and chocolates from mother. So giving it is a positive thing to them. So it is a positive reinforcement.

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 home work , 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 interesting 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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