If students value the success of the group, they will encourage and help one another to achieve, much in contrast to the traditional competitive classroom. This works only if the group rewards are based on the individual learning of all group members. Most often, this means that team scores are computed based on average scores on quizzes which all teammates take individually, without teammate help. If group rewards are based on an assigned group product, there is little incentive for group members to explain concepts to one another, and one or two group members may do all the work. Ms. Carnes quotes Damon Burton, professor of sport psychology at the University of Idaho.
Reinforcement is an selective way to motivate athletes and bring about changes in behavior.
Behaviors besides successful outcomes should be rewarded. Recognize effort, performance improvement, sportsmanship and teamwork. Burton advises using extrinsic rewards when teaching skills or increasing motivation, but then wean athletes because continuing to use extrinsic rewards reduces the likelihood that athletes will maintain the target behavior. Eliminating them frees up coaches' time and allows athletes to motivate themselves. This article suggests using behavior modification to develop new behaviors, strengthen new behaviors, maintain established behaviors, stop inappropriate behaviors and to modify emotional behaviors.