Behaviorism is based on the idea that what happens after we do something impacts whether we repeat that action. For instance, if we help groupmates and, in response, the groupmates smile and say “Thank you,” we are more likely to help them again. In contrast, if our groupmates respond to our help by saying, “We don’t need your help” and looking angry, we are less likely to help them again.

Behaviorism calls the positive response “positive reinforcement,” and says that positive reinforcement is the best way to promote learning. This idea that people are more likely to repeat behaviours if those behaviours have been reinforced, can be seen with groups. In a class where students work alone, the only person giving positive reinforcement is the teacher, but with group activities, groupmates can also reinforce students’ contributions to their learning.

The Behaviorst concept of “negative reinforcement” is the withholding of any positive reinforcement if a behavior (e.g., a student response) is not correct. It is important to recognize that behaviorists do not believe that punishment has any positive impact on learning.

This is why the cooperative skills of praising others with reasons and thanking others for praise are so important. Adding reasons to praise helps people know exactly what they did to earn the positive reinforcement, thereby making it easier for them to repeat that action or similar ones.