You know how the Americans believe strokes – compliments – to be most effective in raising motivation? Too American for your taste? Well, maybe you should reconsider. Strokes or compliments are an important phenomenon in therapy and motivation theory. Research shows that a ratio of 5 compliments for one criticism or remark is most effective (Flora (2000) in Groot, F. de (2004) Bekrachtigen, bekrachtigen en nog eens bekrachtigen. Gedragstherapie, 37, 61-66). In Bindend motiveren (2001) Dutch professor Personnel Management Rob Vinke and co-author Johan Schokker even recommend a ratio of 10:1 between compliments and criticism! So what is your personal ratio in your interaction with your subordinates, colleagues, manager?
The reinforcement model (Skinner, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reinforcement) supplies us with further information on effective behaviour. It tells us that rewards, recognition, compliments, reduction of unpleasant situations, are more effective than punishment, criticism, taking away something positive, in producing lasting desired (changed) behaviour.
The table below gives an overview of the reinforcing procedures and their effectiveness on the long term, the green fields contain the strategies that result in the most lasting behaviour change.
|
Reinforcement: Strategy: |
Reward |
Punishment |
|
Add |
You will get reward if you show changed behaviour > longer lasting behaviour change |
You will be punished if you do not show change behaviour > less effective in lasting behaviour change |
|
Take away |
You will not get reward or loose something if you do not show changed behaviour > less effective in behaviour change |
Something unpleasant will be removed if you show changed behaviour > longer lasting behaviour change |
|
Ignore |
No reaction to your changed behaviour > quicker dying out of changed behaviour |
No reaction to your changed behaviour > slower dying out of changed behaviour |
Now be honest, think of your colleagues and your busy working day, what are your choices in the table? And, are they effective?
Photo by Guillermo Latorre on Unsplash
Published earlier on 10/6/2010
