A Study of Using Reward and Punishment in The Education of School-Aged Children— Based on Behaviorism Theory Operant Conditioning

Abstract

Reward and punishment can change children’s behaviors, so the two strategies are widely used in education, especially with young learners. Researchers found that the two strategies have positive and negative effects on children, but they put little emphasis on how to use them more effectively. Through literature analysis and case analysis, this paper aims to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using reward and punishment on school-aged children based on B.F. Skinner’s Operant conditioning and his experiment skinner box. The research found that using reward and punishment on school-aged children is necessary. The strategies have an immediate effect, and they can increase prosocial behaviors. They are more useful than reasoning when the educated are young. However, some researchers argue that reward and punishment only focus on short-term success. They become a representation of power and decrease the autonomy of children when they are overused. Three strategies are suggested in this paper for effective use of reward and punishment, including using them immediately after behaviors, selecting the proper reinforcement and concentrating on behaviors rather than children themselves.