The strategy of offering a star for handwashing exemplifies which behavior management technique?

The strategy of offering a star for handwashing exemplifies which behavior management technique?

• A. Positive reinforcement
• B. Negative reinforcement
• C. Punishment
• D. Token economy

Answer: (A)

Offering a star for handwashing demonstrates positive reinforcement. By giving something desirable right after the child washes their hands, you strengthen the likelihood that the behavior will be repeated because the star is a rewarding consequence. This differs from negative reinforcement, which would involve removing an unpleasant condition to increase the behavior, and from punishment, which adds a penalty to decrease an undesired behavior. A token economy describes a broader system where rewards (tokens like stars) are earned and can be exchanged for bigger rewards; as described, a single star is best understood as positive reinforcement, though it could be part of a token economy if used within a larger redemption plan.

Offering a star for handwashing demonstrates positive reinforcement. By giving something desirable right after the child washes their hands, you strengthen the likelihood that the behavior will be repeated because the star is a rewarding consequence. This differs from negative reinforcement, which would involve removing an unpleasant condition to increase the behavior, and from punishment, which adds a penalty to decrease an undesired behavior. A token economy describes a broader system where rewards (tokens like stars) are earned and can be exchanged for bigger rewards; as described, a single star is best understood as positive reinforcement, though it could be part of a token economy if used within a larger redemption plan.