Reinforcer 4: Negative punishment

A conventional probability of defined outcomes raises the prospect of certain behaviors if there is a well-established contingency pattern between them. If you know that action A is going to root action B (which already is something you deeply desire) it’s natural for you to follow that particular behavior pattern. Behaviorism is a well-researched but quite a convoluted science. Nonetheless, its practical implications are as lucid as common sense. An action that brings favorable outcomes usually reinforces itself. And behaviors that need to be reinforced get implanted according to the strategies that have been used to cement them. There are several reasons why humans behave the way they do. These ought to be suitably understood to improve conduct. We know the 4 typical behavior modification paradigms:

• Action followed by reward should lead to repetition of that action
• Behavior succeeded by punishment must decrease its frequency
• Deeds that prevent negative consequences tend to get reinforced
• Actions that cease positive outcomes should diminish themselves

Although all seem to overlap, the context of using behavior modification in different situations affects the behavior change that occurs transiently or for evermore.

Making your child obey you

The dictum in life is to be reasonable in expectations so that we are not let down. Maxims also state that when you put in your best you are welcome to expect the finest outcome. And then, laws of physics state that every action generates an equal and opposite reaction. Next, mirrors reflect back at us what we truly are, nothing more, naught less. So the key to happiness (backed by evidence base and science) is to sow the best seed so that you get supreme and flawless crop. That crop who ‘wants’ to listen to you. The crop who ‘waits’ for your command because he has the utmost desire to follow you as his role model. The crop that every parent wishes, dreams, prays, pines for. The crop of the obedient child.