Just Say No to Abuse Declaring War on Terrorism. Those who practice behavior modification have long understood the power of effective praise.
Praise is one type of positive reinforcement.
When used in a positive way, such as praising a job well done, this type of reinforcement encourages improved behavior and learning. When administered properly, reinforcement can successfully modify behavior and stimulate learning. The outcome should encourage the subject to try again to successfully complete the task. However, in order for a teacher's praise to be effective in motivating her students to desire to repeat the praiseworthy effort, the teacher's praise needs to be specific, well-timed, and sincere. While most educators agree that children learn better in a supportive, friendly environment, research indicates that some teacher attempts to create such environments by using praise may actually be counter-productive.