Good article. Isn't it strange how so many people still confuse negative reinforcement with punishment?

http://www.thriveboston.com

Unless I'm missing something, none of the studies mentioned (which are interesting, to be sure) delve into what happens in real life, which is a combination of positive and negative reinforcement. What happens when correct answers elicited positive reinforcement and incorrect answers got negative? It seems this was not part of the study, which is strange, if true.

Anecdotally, it seems that many parents have taken this partial view to heart, refusing to show their fragile little darlings any negative energy at all (which kids pick up on anyway, of course), and ONLY offering positive reinforcement. As far as I can tell, this results in spoiled, egotistical children with little to no respect for their parents or anyone else. I'm no expert on parenting, but it seems to me that honesty really is the best policy. When the little bastards piss you off, they should know it, and know why. Otherwise, they're not getting a clear sense of their effect on the world around them.

Unless I'm missing something, none of the studies mentioned (which are interesting, to be sure) delve into what happens in real life, which is a combination of positive and negative reinforcement. What happens when correct answers elicited positive reinforcement and incorrect answers got negative? It seems this was not part of the study, which is strange, if true.

Anecdotally, it seems that many parents have taken this partial view to heart, refusing to show their fragile little darlings any negative energy at all (which kids pick up on anyway, of course), and ONLY offering positive reinforcement. As far as I can tell, this results in spoiled, egotistical children with little to no respect for their parents or anyone else. I'm no expert on parenting, but it seems to me that honesty really is the best policy. When the little bastards piss you off, they should know it, and know why. Otherwise, they're not getting a clear sense of their effect on the world around them.

I do not believe a child should not get punishment. If you do not punish your child than they will think they can get away with anything. You are not preparing them for the real world. The real world is all about positive and negative. If you isolate your children from what goes on in real life than I believe they may develop to be afraid of society. They may in the future be living with great fear with what goes on outside their home. I also believe they will gain no respect for adults, especially for the parents.

If your child hits you, you should tell them it is wrong to because if you don't than they will think it is okay and hit you again. No parent can ignore that behavior. I am not saying hit them back, but you should let them know what they have done wrong and it is inappropriate.

Yes, the child is going to respond more to a positive response because they are still in the pre-operating stage. According to Jean Piaget, Pre-operating stage of a child, (which happens between the ages 2-11) makes a child think everything is about them. When a child get praised than they will respond to that more because everything is about them and they are getting positive feedback from the parents, they will never learn that they cannot get everything they want and can do anything they want. If you do not give a child negative responses than I believe they will get stuck in pre-operational stage.