Carrot or the Stick

Reciprocal interaction is the basis for Bandura's social learning theory and an important component in building a culture of high expectation on a high school campus. Learning occurs from the active interchange between the school environment and the student, not just in responding to a stimulus provided by the teacher (Bandura, 1971). Bandura discovered that past consequences are important motivators for future behavior. Students that have received positive reinforcement will produce behaviors that are more desirable. The motivating positive reinforcement becomes the reason for the learned behavior. This leads to the idea that schools with a positive culture will provide more quality reinforcement for reaching goals (Bandura, 1971). As students reach goals, they feel better about themselves which increases their desire to achieve even higher goals. On the other hand, students attending a school that has a negative school culture will not receive the reinforcement necessary to fulfill their feedback needs.

Continuing with Bandura’s social learning (1971), there is a connection with regulated consequences and behavior. People generally will not participate in behavior that is not rewarding or that is met with punishment. Rewarded behavior however, has a higher retention level. When rewards and punishments are anticipated, it has strong effects on behavior. Social rewards and behavior incentives have a positive result on learning and social interaction (Bandura, 1971). Applying this concept to schools, students will work hard to earn positive reinforcement from the teacher or their peers and work harder to avoid the negative aspect. This can also help to build a positive culture, as well as a culture of high expectations.

Bottom line is the carrot is much more powerful than the stick.

Until next time...