Definition of Positive Discipline

Positive Discipline can be understood as the operation of encouraging an approved behaviour by

offering a reward as a stimulus, on showing that behaviour. In short, after performing an action, it
results in a positive response or reward, then the response tends to be reinforced.

The aim is to increase the probability of the pattern or behaviour. Positive reinforces can be the
desirable outcome, which satisfies the needs such as food, water, money, status, medals, etc. or
eliminates the obstacle, in need satisfaction.

For Example:

 Commercial Ad for a health drink presenting an increase in height, as result of consuming it,
is an example of Positive Discipline, whereby increased height is the reinforce to buy the
health drink.
 Income Tax Authorities offering gifts to the genuine assesse.
 Promotion as a Discipline offered to the employees if they achieve the desired sales target.

One thing is to be noted that, a positive reinforce, can be different to different people, as an
appreciation from the manager, can act as an effective reinforce for some employees, but not for
everyone, as promotion or increment can be a reinforce for others.

Definition of Negative Discipline

By the term ‘negative Discipline’, we mean that a reinforce, i.e. stimulus is removed, on performing a
certain behaviour. The frequency of occurrence of the behaviour will be increased in future, as a
result of removing negative outcome. In short, negative Discipline encompasses the application of
the aversive stimulus. It is also known as escape or avoidance learning, as the reinforce is negative
and the person attempts to avoid or escape from it.

It is not same as punishment because in punishment the likelihood of the behaviour is reduced,
whereas, in negative Discipline, the repetitiveness increases.

For Example:

 A person learns to wear a raincoat, during the rainy season, to avoid getting wet.
 People wear helmets, to avoid getting injured, in case of a road accident, or getting fined by
cops.

The difference between positive and negative Discipline:

 Positive Discipline implies a process of adding a stimulus when a certain behaviour is shown,
to increase the likelihood of recurrence of that behaviour. On the other hand, negative
Discipline refers to a process in which the experimenter, in spite of adding something
undesirable, he/she removes the unwanted stimuli, to motivate the organism to perform a
certain activity again.
 In positive Discipline, a favourable stimulus is added, whereas, in negative Discipline, an
unfavourable stimulus is removed.
 Stimuli involved in positive Discipline, have pleasant outcomes. Conversely, in negative
Discipline, the stimuli can have unpleasant or even painful outcomes.
 In positive Discipline, the stimuli act as a reward, for doing something, whereas in negative
Discipline, the stimuli act like a penalty, for not doing something.
  Positive Discipline strengthens or maintains the probability of recurrence of response. On
the contrary, in negative Discipline, the organism learns to get rid of nasty responses.

Conclusion

Discipline is when an outcome, strengthens a particular behaviour and thus, it is more likely to occur
in future. In positive Discipline, involves presenting a favourable reinforce, to stimulate the
organism, to act accordingly. As against, in negative Discipline, reduction or elimination of an
unfavourable reinforce, to increase the rate of response.