Question

What method of reward and punishment is used in your family, and how does it fit in with the three theories? Does it work?

Answer 1

The essential form of interaction between adults and children is based on the premise that adults tell children what to do. However, if this is changed and each individual’s thinking is given the space to experiment & base their own learnings on the basis of trial and error, it is likely to be etched in one’s memory for life. This is something experienced personally at various domains of life whether it was on a professional front, i.e. experimenting with career choices or with social life, i.e. choosing friends or romantic partners, even if the choices did not prove to be very fruitful. This does not mean that boundaries are not to be drawn and punishment is completely discarded in that regard. However, it is the last resort and is not something that should be used for every other challenge during parenting. Instead conditioning and positive rewarding, including appreciation and acknowledgement of effort is something that is quite likely to enhance the effectiveness of an individual. Therefore rewarding and using rewards to enhance behaviour is more likely to work rather than unpleasant experiences like punishment.