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 ...

A behavior chart involves setting a goal, creating a chart that clearly displays the goal, and then marking with stars, stickers, or earning other rewards when the behavior has been successfully ...

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.

Teachers certainly have used behavior rewards for time out of mind—a piece of candy or a small toy for being compliant was definitely SOP when I was a child.