Positive reinforcement seeks to increase the occurrence of positive behavior by providing desirable consequences for that behavior. Negative reinforcement also seeks to increase the occurrence of positive behavior, but by the termination of undesirable consequences, unlike punishment, which seeks to reduce the occurrence of negative behavior by providing undesirable consequences for that behavior. There are several related terms. Extinction means no consequences or feedback; it is more punishing to most employees than punishment. Learned responses must be reinforced to recur. Behavior that is not reinforced in any way will eventually decrease and disappear. This is often true, for example, of the child who swears in front of a parent. The reaction to the "naughty word" is what the child is seeking. If no reaction is forthcoming, the behavior ceases.
Let us return to our tardy employee. Punishment occurs when the employee is told that being late again will result in firing. While that may eliminate lateness, it may instead result in avoidance. With extinction, on the other hand, the employee receives no feedback from the manager whether early, on time, or late. Suddenly the employee may be fired for not performing and may end up leaving without knowing what went wrong.
Negative reinforcement occurs when the employee is told, for example, that a written reprimand for lateness will be removed from the file if on-time performance is maintained for a month. The hope is that positive behavior will increase by having the employee work toward having a negative (the written warning) removed.
Positive reinforcement occurs when employees are told that at the end of the week, all employees who have a perfect attendance record will be eligible for a drawing; the winners will receive dinner for two at the hotel restaurant. Some critics call this bribery. After all, employees are paid to come in on time. Why should they be additionally rewarded for what they should do anyway? When a child is told, prior to Grandma's visit, "If you behave yourself, you can have some ice cream", is that bribery or positive reinforcement?
The point is, if management has a problem and punishment is not working, it may be necessary to provide consequences for desirable behavior in order to get it. In many operations, the accent is heavily on punishment to reduce negative behavior. A void is present unless there is also in place at the same time a system of incentives to encourage desired behavior.
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