What is the theory behind this Punishment and reinforcement worksheet?

Operant conditioning, according to Behavioral Therapy, is a method that uses rewards and punishments to alter a behavior. Favorable outcome as result of a desired behavior is known as positive reinforcement while removal of an unfavorable stimulus as result of the desired action is called negative reinforcement. Similarly, punishment means to introduce an aversive stimulus to reduce the likelihood of an undesirable behavior to reoccur.

How will the worksheet help?

This worksheet will help parents to strengthen positive behaviors of their children by practicing the method of operant condition effectively. Corrective, non-extreme and age appropriate (e.g. doing an extra chore for hitting the little sister) punishments should be selected. This would help in understanding that actions have consequences.

How to use this worksheet?

This worksheet contains a table with four columns. The parents are required to make a list of desirable and undesirable behaviors in their respective columns. Decide the reinforcements and punishments they want to set for these behaviors by discussing them with their children. 

Punishment and reinforcement worksheet

List of desirable behaviors	Positive/Negative reinforcements if the behavior occurs	List of undesirable behaviors	Punishments if the behavior occurs

References

Felixbrod, J. J., & O’leary, K. D. (1973). Effects of reinforcement on children’s academic behavior as a function of self-determined and externally imposed contingencies. Journal of applied behavior analysis, 6(2), 241–250.

Watson, J.B. (1998). Behaviorism (1st ed.). Routledge.

You can download this worksheet here.