Whenever one action is repeated it gets strengthened over time and eventually, we do it without much effort. But what leads to reinforcement? Well, the answer lies in the result. Knowingly or unknowingly we all have experienced reinforcement. Remember the time when you were rewarded with a star for writing neatly and punished for making a mess of your homework. That sums up reinforcement for you.

As one comes to know about the consequence, a particular action or behaviour is either repeated or shunned. The most relatable example is being on time. Having time management saves one from bad consequences. Getting up early saves one from missing the bus or forgetting the essential things. We know haste makes waste. And finishing off things in a hurry never helps.

The treats, walk in the park, getting one more hour to play were all consequences of the good behaviour. Time outs, scolding and being grounded are the consequences of bad behaviour. This way a simple consequence decides whether a particular behaviour will be repeated or not. This helps a lot in giving importance to the desired behaviour and getting rid of the undesired one.

Reinforcement as mentioned can be positive or negative. It is used based on the motive. Mostly reinforcement shows good results in the case of instilling good habits in children, as they always look forward to being appreciated and acknowledged.

Reinforcement is a small step towards bringing an everlasting change in behaviour.

We most often use reinforcement to train our pets. Rewarding them with a treat on obeying and denying when they disobey is the simplest yet effective form of reinforcement.

But simple things tend to be complex if used in excess amounts. Reinforcement moulds the behaviour but it wholly depends on consequences. If one hardly cares about the consequences or knows no harm can touch him/her, the behaviour exhibited may not be desirable. As long as it is used for all good reasons reinforcement is the best and most effective method of getting a hold of bad behaviour and acknowledging the good one. It is simply a ” carrot and stick” approach.

So next time you decide to adapt to a new habit, team it up with a desirable consequence and there you go!