ABSTRACT
Research shows that the use of a priori, contingent, and material rewards reduces the internalization of respect, responsibility, honesty, or whatever aspect of character is being rewarded. Adults become less compliant with their health regimens when they started being rewarded for doing so. The kids increased service behavior but never internalized the value of service. They were just doing it for the rewards. There was no reward attached to the retirement party. Punishment is not an effective behavior change mechanism. It may stop a behavior immediately, but it is a poor developmental strategy. As a wise school counselor once told the teachers in her school, When a person punishes a child for misbehaving in their classroom, and she stops, they think they have succeeded in reducing her misbehavior. A few years ago, a principal of a large elementary school reported that she had a very punitive kindergarten team.
