Introducing Psychology: A Graphic Guide

by Nigel C. Benson

Punishment often causes the individual to AVOID BEING PUNISHED rather than stop the undesired behaviour…

Punishment may train an individual about what NOT to do, but it doesn’t train WHAT to do.

Skinner realized that a lot of so-called “Problem” or “Naughty” children were really just normal, healthy, active children who had frequently been inadvertently “mis-trained” by their parents, teachers, etc. For example, the tendency to give attention (Positive Reinforcement) only when the child is “naughty”, while ignoring the child when it is “good”.

The result of this research (in Motivation and Personality, 1970, and The Farther Reaches of Human Nature, 1971), was the theory of SELF-ACTUALIZATION: the innate human motivation, that each of us has, to ACHIEVE OUR POTENTIAL by using and developing our talents and abilities. Each time we experience such a sense of fulfillment is called a PEAK EXPERIENCE.