One of the reward “schedules” that B.F. Skinner researched is called a variable ratio schedule. It’s called “variable” because you don’t reward the behavior every time.

This is the VOA Special English Health Report. Two recent studies have found that punishment is not the best way to influence behavior. One showed that adults are much more cooperative if they work in ...

In a variable ratio schedule, you may decide that you are going to reward the behavior, on average, every five times the person does the behavior, but you vary it, so sometimes you give the reward ...

All parents want to encourage behavior that they find desirable in their children, and to discourage those things they wish their children wouldn't do. Whether it's playing with other children ...

Reward only occasionally. If a child can figure when a reward will be provided, he or she will only produce the desired behavior when it's certain the reward will be forthcoming. Reward extra effort.

Instead, set a positive example, encourage positive behavior as a meaningful goal itself, and then use rewards sparingly to show that you appreciate and approve of what has been accomplished.

Ready to try a behavior chart? They can be very effective tools to help kids learn responsibility and improve behavior. We explore several types of chart, how to make them work, and how to know ...