Reinforcement

USSF Referee Instructor Course

ITIP

United States Soccer Federation

Lesson Set

Think about the last time you wanted your spouse or significant other to do something … or to STOP IT.

You know the ways it takes to make these things happen, or to continue to happen or not happen without ever saying “Do it” or “Stop it”.

This is called reinforcement theory. Reinforcement means to strengthen.

Reinforcement

Lesson Objective

You will write (2) examples of positive reinforcement and (2) examples of negative reinforcement to the satisfaction of the instructor.

Reinforcement

Definition

Reinforcement is the strengthening of what is to be learned.

It is a reward system of the learning.

It is also an important management tool to maintain and improve learning behavior during instruction.

Reinforcement

Reinforcement Theory

Positive reinforcement

Negative reinforcement

Extinction

Reinforcement

Positive Reinforcement

Anything wanted or needed by the learner and given after desired behavior occurs

• SWIFT• SPECIFIC• SINCERE

POWER …. it tells the person what to do

Reinforcement

Positive Reinforcement

Positive behaviors can be encouraged or elicited by the use of positive reinforcers.

The messages you give are the most common forms of positive reinforcement.

Watch your body language, this can say as much as your words.

Privilege also reinforces

Reinforcement

Reinforcement DO’S• You got them all• That’s getting better• You’re really trying hard• Not quite, look carefully and you’ll get it• What’s the next thing you’re going to do?• You did the first one, now try the next one• Ignore the “blurter-outer” and call on someone who

did what you asked• That’s excellent work• That’s coming along!• Smile and give a thumbs up

Reinforcement

Reinforcement DON’TS• That’s wrong• You missed five• Same word response for everything, i.e. perfect,

good, OK, right• That’s great (When the student hasn’t really tried)• You really know it (When there are errors)• Now what did you mean by that remark?• Since you finished all the questions, here’s

another set to do• Avoid being insincere or placing a personal value

judgment on a task.

Reinforcement

Negative Reinforcement

Anything unpleasant or unwanted by the learner.

Works in two ways:• Suppresses the behavior that caused it• Strengthens the behavior that removes it

Ex. Do you have a car that has a buzzer that rings until you’ve fastened your seatbelt? The annoying buzzer is a negative reinforcement.

Reinforcement

Negative Reinforcement

Should be used when:

A behavior is not desired

It will stop (even temporarily) inappropriate behavior

Negative reinforcement should always be followed with positive reinforcement, when the student responds with the appropriate behavior.

Reinforcement

Extinction

Extinction is ignoring a behavior, i.e. withholding any reinforcement until the behavior disappears.

Non-productive behaviors can be eliminated by the use of extinction.

Extinction works when it is a first time occurrence.

Reinforcement

Extinction

Should NOT be used when: Peers are giving positive

reinforcement Behavior is productive Behavior is harmful Behavior is a habit

Reinforcement

Lesson Assignment

Write two examples of positive reinforcement and two examples of negative reinforcement that could be used in an Entry Level Referee clinic, labeling each and bring to the in-class sessions.

Reinforcement

Reinforcement

USSF Referee Instructor Course

ITIP

United States Soccer Federation