Have you ever received money for getting straight A’s on a report card? Or maybe you were able to go out to eat to your favorite restaurant for cleaning your room. These are examples of positive reinforcement.

However, not every person responds to this kind of encouragement. Sometimes people get used to having positivity and need an extra little push in order to continue to be productive.

Getting grounded for having a low grade on a test, having your cellphone taken for using it too often, or getting your internet shut off for staying up too late are all forms of negative reinforcement.

It’s no surprise that students, such as junior Brianna Galliardt, feel that positive reinforcement is a better way to motivate a person.

“Positivity is always important,” Galliardt said. “If you’re surrounded by negativity you won’t see a point in doing anything anymore. You won’t even want to try if you know that the response you’ll get is going to be negative.”

Junior Chelsey Augustine and senior Amanda Koeningsman also said that they agree with positive reinforcement.

“I don’t respond well to negativity,” Augustine said. “I’d much rather get a pat on the back and a sense of accomplishment from doing something well, than getting yelled at for failing a test or something along those lines.”

Koeningsman said she does prefer positivity, but believes that negative reinforcement is more effective.

“It’s more about motivation to do or not do something,” Koeningsman said. “I know that if I get something that I enjoy taken away from me, I’m going to try to get it back.”

On the other hand, students, like junior Taylor DeBoer, said that they think negative encouragement is always a better option if your goal is to motivate someone.

“I know that negative encouragement is the only way I’ll get things done,” DeBoer said. “I think that people my age don’t do things if they don’t ever get grounded or punished every once in a while.”

Sophomore Rachel Taylor said that both motivate her.

“I would say competition motivates me,” Taylor said. “I guess competition can be classified as both. Everyone wants to be the best at what they do.”

17aweber@usd489.com