Final answer:
Positive reinforcement, an aspect of operant conditioning, is the most effective method for instilling permanent behavior, as it involves giving a desirable stimulus following the desired behavior, making the behavior more likely to be repeated.
Step-by-step explanation:
Research in psychology, especially the work of B.F. Skinner shows that positive reinforcement is the most effective way to instill permanent behavior.
This method involves adding a desirable stimulus after the desired behavior is demonstrated, thereby increasing the likelihood of the behavior being repeated.
For example, when children are given a sticker every time they complete a task, like cleaning their room, they are more inclined to do it again.
These principles are rooted in operant conditioning and the law of effect, which state that behaviors followed by satisfying consequences are more likely to occur in the future.
It's important for the reinforcement to be immediate and consistent, as demonstrated in Skinner's experiments with rats using a Skinner box and continuous reinforcement.
Applying this to children's behavior, smaller steps towards the desired behavior are also reinforced, which is known as shaping. For instance, rewarding a child progressively for cleaning parts of their room until he or she cleans the whole room.
Additionally, positive reinforcement can significantly influence educational outcomes. As highlighted by the example of paying second graders in Dallas for reading, which it resulted in a marked improvement in reading comprehension. The principle behind this method is that the reinforcement must be meaningful to the individual to be effective and encourage the desired behavior.