Behaviourist - Using conditioning techniques to control the behaviour of children

Question 1

At Home (For)

Answer 1

Supernanny Jo Frost used the ‘naughty step’ to correct inappropriate behaviour. When you shout at a child although it is unpleasant acts as positive reinforcement. Gill (1998) asked parents to encourage paying their child for the chores then do and postponing the money when not completed.

Question 2

At Home (Against)

Answer 2

Morris (2014) claims that the ‘naughty step’ can have long-term emotional effects because children are not able to reflect on their own behaviour and verbalise feelings. The naughty step may ultimately have a negative effect as children don’t have empathy.

Question 3

In School (For)

Answer 3

Gold stars, merits and house points are positive reinforcers, Teacher praise is also reinforcing. McAllister et al (1969) found that increased ‘teacher praise’ and ‘teacher disapproval’ led to a decrease of ‘inappropriate talking’

Question 4

In School (Against)

Answer 4

Lepper et al (1973) conducted research where nursery kids were asked to draw and found that children that were promised a reward spent half as much time drawing as children who were not promised a reward. Dweck (1975) found that children who were praised for doing good work on a maths test did worse on a later, more difficult test than children who had been told they were lazy.

Question 5

Peers (For)

Answer 5

When we move to later school the influence of our parents shifts on to our peer groups. To avoid criticism or exclusion and increase praise and acceptance children imitate the behaviours and actions of their peers. We are conditioned by our peers.

Question 6

Peers (Against)

Answer 6

Bricker et al. (2006) found that children as young as 10 yrs old were more likely to try smoking if members of their peer group smoked. This shows positive reinforcement from peers is not always the healthy option.