ConsequencesBy:Jamie WolfePBS FacilitatorSharon Klose &Sharon MansonBehavior Specialists

In nature there are neither rewards nor punishments; there

are only consequences.-

Robert B. Ingersoll

Behavioral ConsequencesBalance of positive reinforcement

for appropriate behavior and logical consequences for inappropriate behavior

Research shows that a combination of using positive reinforcement and logical consequences is more effective than either approach used alone

Consequences Key assumptions-

Consequences are used as a pause to get our students’ attention.

Consequences should be organized in a hierarchy, starting with the mildest first.

Consequences teach students that they have the power of choice.

Consequences

Consequences need to be:RelatedRespectfulReasonable

- Nelson, 1985

Choosing an Appropriate Consequence

Consequences should be arranged in a hierarchy: from a redirect, to a minor response, to a major response strategy.

All consequences should:Be natural and/or logicalProvide some wiggle room for the teacher

Be specific and concrete

Natural ConsequencesConsequences that follow naturally from an event or situation.

Places responsibility where it belongs- on the child.

Require little or no involvement from the adult.

Logical ConsequencesLogical consequences are

structured learning opportunities.Arranged by the adult,

experienced by the student, and logically related to the situation or misbehavior.

Have their greatest impact when they are immediate, consistent, temporary, and followed by a clean slate.

Wiggle Room for the Teacher

Let students know your job is to do what will most help each student.

Fair is not everyone getting the same thing. Fair is everyone getting what they need. Your response can vary slightly from student to student and from situation to situation.

Wiggle Room for the Teacher

Having a hierarchy of consequences allows us to make professional judgment calls while still being consistent.

Follow the PRIDE flow chart.

Be Specific and ConcreteConsequences should be thought out in advance.

Consequences should be behavioral in nature.

Consequences should clearly delineate the actions that the student needs to take.

Implementing ConsequencesBe consistent!Move up the hierarchy from a

redirect to a Major.Justifying the implementation of a

consequence.Keep it short and simple!Watch the volume of your voice.Recognize appropriate behavior.

Deliver a PRIDE paw ticket, as soon as possible.

Logical Consequences vs. PunishmentLOGICAL

CONSEQUENCESTeachLeave the child with

feeling of control Use thinking wordsProvide choices within firm

limitsAre given with empathyAre tied to time and place

of the infractionAre similar to what would

happen to an adult in comparable situation

Emphasizes what a student should do

Teaches students to take responsibility for their choices

Increases self-esteem

PUNISHMENTControlLeaves the child feeling

powerlessUses fighting wordsDemands compliance Is given with anger Is arbitraryEmphasizes what a

students should NOT doResults in the student

focusing on the adult rather than on their choices

Decreases self-esteem

Punishment RisksLeast effective response for reducing anti-

social behaviors Provides short-term outcomes, but may not

produce desired long-term outcomesDecreases positive attitudes-increases

withdrawal, aggression, vandalism, truancy, tardiness, drop out rate

Risks of Misusing Negative ReinforcementInadvertently reinforcing inappropriate

behaviorsMissing the opportunities to teach coping

strategies and appropriate behaviorsLosing the opportunity to understand why

(function) the behavior occurred

How Positive Reinforcement Can Be MisusedProviding a “reward” rather than a

reinforcer.Inadvertently reinforcing the wrong behavior.Reinforcing a present behavior, rather than

an intended (past) behavior.Providing too few reinforcers for too short of

period of time.

It is possible, within the SAME interaction,for one person to be positively reinforcedand another person to be negatively reinforced.

Keep in Mind

Menu of ReinforcersEscape/Avoid-tasks, situations, peoplePhysiological-food, touchTangibles-stickers, money, tokensClosure-completing a task, end of the yearPrivileges-line leader, free timeSocial Status/Recognition-star studentAttention-peer/adult, public/privatePraise-adults, parents, teachers/staff, peersBelonging/Acceptance-individual, groupsIntrinsic-self-satisfaction

ReinforcementFrequency-how often given?Variety-how many choices?Power-how desirable?Immediacy-how soon?

Rules for Using Positive ReinforcementEstablish yourself as a reinforcerBe sincereBe simple and clearTell people they are appreciatedAvoid using “but”Don’t reinforce and punish or ask for more at

the same time

Responding to MisbehaviorHandle the misbehavior gently and in privateMove toward the student in an aura of

personal contactDevelop non-verbal cuesDirect student toward the desired behaviorDirect consequence to the individual

-Effective Strategies for Successful Teaching, Diana Browning Wright

When Consequences do not Work

When students are not learning from the consequence, ask yourself:Was the consequence immediate?Was the consequence applied in a

consistent manner?Was the consequence temporary in

duration?Was the consequence followed by a

clean slate and forgiveness?

Positive ReinforcementAll of us adapt our behavior depending on

how we are reinforced.Positive reinforcement encourages positive

behavior.Extrinsic reinforcement may be needed

until intrinsic reinforcement takes over.Allow students a choice of reinforcement.Only give reinforcement after it has been

earned.

I have come to a frightening conclusion.I am the decisive element in the classroom.It is my personal approach that creates the

climate.As a teacher, I possess tremendous power to make

a child’s life miserable or joyous.I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of

inspiration.I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides

whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated, and a child humanized or dehumanized.

- Hiam Ginott Teacher and Child 1976 Avon Books

“Since you change people everyday, make sure you change them for the better.”

-Aubrey C. Daniels