Skip to main content
Intended for healthcare professionals
Restricted access
Other
First published online March 1, 2009

Back to Basics: Rules, Praise, Ignoring, and Reprimands Revisited

Abstract

Research begun in the 1960s provided the impetus for teacher educators to urge classroom teachers to establish classroom rules, deliver high rates of verbal/nonverbal praise, and, whenever possible, to ignore minor student provocations. In that there have been significant advances in the knowledge of what constitutes effective classroom management, a review of past-to-present literature was conducted to determine whether it is time to alter the thinking about one or more of these basic behavioral strategies. The research conducted over the years supports the basic tenets of these strategies, but with some important caveats. Finally, there are several newer strategies that warrant attention.

Get full access to this article

View all access and purchase options for this article.

References

Abramowitz, A.J., O'Leary, S.G., & Futtersak, M.W. (1988). The relative impact of long and short reprimands on children off-task behavior in the classroom. Behavior Therapy, 19, 243-247.
Alber, S., & Heward, W. (2000). Teaching students to recruit positive attention: a review and recommendations. Journal of Behavioral Education, 10, 177-205.
Alberto, P., & Troutman, A. (2006). Applied behavior analysis for teachers (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill.
Bear, G. (2005). Developing self-discipline and preventing and correcting misbehavior. Boston: Pearson Allyn and Bacon.
Becker, W.C., Madsen, C.H., Arnold, C.R., & Thomas, D.R. (1967). The contingent use of teacher attention and praise in reducing classroom behavior problems. Journal of Special Education, 1, 287-307.
Brophy, J. (1981). Teacher praise: a functional analysis. Review of Educational Research, 51, 5-32.
Brophy, J. (1998). Motivating students to learn. Boston: McGraw Hill.
Bullock, L. M., & Gable, R. A. (Eds.). (2003). School wide proactive strategies for dealing with challenging behavior. Reston, VA: Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders .
Burden, P. (2006). Classroom management: creating a successful K-12 learning community (3rd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
Burnett, P. (2001). Elementary students' preferences for teacher praise . Journal of Classroom Interaction, 36, 16-23.
Burnhill, G.P. (2005). Functional behavioral assessment in schools. Intervention in the School and Clinic, 40, 131-143.
Cartledge, G., & Loe, S.A. (2001). Cultural diversity and social skill instruction . Exceptionality, 9(1&2), 33-46.
Colvin, G., Sugai, G., & Patching, W. (1993). Precorrection: an instructional approach for managing predictable problem behaviors. Intervention in the School and Clinic, 28, 143-150.
Connolly, T., Dowd, T., Criste, A., Nelson, C., & Tobias, L. (1995). The well-managed classroom: promoting student success through social skills instruction. Boys Town, NE : Boy's Town Press.
Crosby, S., Jolievette, K., & Patterson, D. (2006). Using precorrection to manage inappropriate academic and social behaviors. Beyond Behavior, 16, 14-17.
Curran, C.M. (2006). Encouraging appropriate behavior. The IRIS Center for Faculty Enhancement. Retrieved October 23, 2006, from http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/case_studies/ICS-005.pdf
Deunic, A.P., Smith, S.W., Brank, E.M., & Penfield, R.D. (2006). Classroom-based cognitive-behavioral interventions to prevent aggression: efficacy and social validity. Journal of School Psychology, 44, 123-139.
Elliot, S.N., Witt, J.C., Galvin, G.A., & Peterson, R. (1984). Acceptability of positive and reductive behavioral interventions: factors that influence teachers' decisions. Journal of School Psychology, 22, 353-360.
Feldman, S. (2003). The place for praise. Teaching PreK-8, 5(6). Gable, R. A. (2004). Hard times and an uncertain future: issues that confront the field of emotional/ behavioral disorders. Education and Treatment of Children, 27, 341-352.
Gable, R.A., Bullock, L.M., & Evans, W.H. (2006). Changing perspectives on alternative schooling for children and adolescents with challenging behavior. Preventing School Failure, 51, 5-9.
Gable, R.A., Hendrickson, J.M., Tonelson, S.M. & Van Acker, R. (2002). Integrating academic and nonacademic instruction for students with emotional/behavioral disorders. Education and Treatment of Children, 25, 66-73.
Gable, R.A., Hendrickson, J.M., Young, C., Shores, R.E., & Stowitscek, J.J. (1983). A comparison of teacher approval and disapproval statements across categories of exceptionalities . Journal of Special Education Technology, 6, 15-22.
Graubard, P.S., Rosenberg, H., & Miller, M.B. (1965). Student applications of behavior modification to teachers and environments or ecological applications to social deviancy . Reprinted in R. Ulrich, T. Stachnik, & J. Marbry (Eds.). Control of human behavior: behavior modification in education (pp. 421-432). Glenview, IL: Scotts, Foresman and Company.
Gresham, F.M., Van, M.B., & Cook, C.R. (2006). Social skills training for teaching replacement behaviors: remediating acquisition deficits in at risk students. Behavioral Disorders, 32, 363-377.
Grossman, H. (2004). Classroom behavior management for diverse and inclusive schools (3rd ed.). New York: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc .
Gunter, P.L., & Denny, R.K. (1998). Trends and issues in research regarding academic instruction of students with emotional behavioral disorders. Behavioral Disorders, 24, 44-50.
Gunter, P.L., & Reed, T.M. (1996). Self-evaluation of instruction: a protocol for functional assessment of teaching behavior. Intervention in School and Clinic, 31, 225-230.
Gunter, P.L., Shores, R.E., Jack, S.L., Rasmussen, S.K., & Flowers, J. (1995). On the move: using teacher/student proximity to improve students' behavior. Teaching Exceptional Children, 28, 12-14.
Henley, M. (2006). Classroom management: a proactive approach. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1997, Pub. L. No. 105-17, (1997).
Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004, Pub. L. No. 108-446, (2004).
Kalis, T.M., Vannest, K., & Parker, R. (2007). Praise counts: using self-monitoring to increase effective teaching practices. Preventing School Failure, 51, 20-27.
Kerr, M.M., & Nelson, C.M. (2006). Strategies for managing behavior problems in the classroom (4th ed.). Columbus, OH: Merrill Prentice Hall.
Kounin, J. (1970). Discipline and group management in classrooms . New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston.
Kratochwill, T.R., & Stoiber, K.C. (2000). Empirically supported interventions and school psychology. School Psychology Quarterly, 15, 233-253.
Lampi, A., Fenty, N., & Beaunae, C. (2005). Making the three Ps easier: praise, proximity and precorrection. Beyond Behavior, 15, 8-12.
Lane, K.L., Gresham, F.M., & O'Shaughnessy, T.E. (2002). Intervention for children with or at risk for emotional and behavioral Disorders. Boston: Allyon & Bacon.
Larrivee, B. (2002). The potential perils of praise in a democratic interactive classroom. Action in Teacher Education, 23, 77-88.
Lewis, T. (2004). In L. M. Bullock, R. A. Gable, & K. L. Melloy (Eds.). Classroom-level supports for students with learning and behavior problems. Effective interventions for classrooms, schools, and communities-Making a difference in the lives of students with learning and behavior problems (pp. 15-18). Reston, VA: Council for children with Behavioral Disorders. Accessed: January 4, 2009.
Maag, J.W. (2004). Behavior management: from theoretical implications to practical applications (2nd ed). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.
Madsen, C.M., Becker, W.C., & Thomas, D.R. (1968). Rules, praise, and ignoring: elements of elementary classroom control. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1, 139-150.
Miller, A., & Hom, H. (1997). Conceptions of ability and the interpretation of praise, blame, and material rewards. The Journal of Experimental Education, 65, 163-177.
Neef, N.A., Shafer, M.S., Egel, A.L., Cataldo, M.F., & Parrish, J.M. (1983). The class specific effects of compliance training with "do" and "don't" requests; analogue analysis and classroom application . Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 16(1), 81-99.
No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, Pub. L. No. 107-110, (2002).
O'Leary, K.A., Becker, W.C., Evans, M.B., & Saudargas, R.A. (1969). A token reinforcement program in a public school. A replication and systematic analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 2, 3-13.
O'Leary, K.D., Kaufman, R.E., Kass, R.E., & Drabman, R.S. (1970). The effect of loud and soft reprimands on the behavior of disruptive students. Exceptional Children, 37, 145-155.
Paine, S.C., Radicchi, J., Rosellini, L.C., Deutchman, L., & Darch, C.B. (1983). Structuring your classroom for academic success . Champaign, IL: Research Press .
Parrish, J. (1986). Experimental analysis of response covariation among compliant and inappropriate behaviors. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 19, 241-254.
Peterson, R. (1992). Life in a crowded place: making a learning community . Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
Performance Learning Systems. (2007). Establishing effective rules. Performance Learning Plus, 32. Retrieved from http://www.plsweb.com/resources/newsletters/enews_archives/32/2003/09/01/
Piazza, C.C., Bowman, L.G., Contruci, S.A., Delia, M.D., Adelinis, J.D., & Goh, N.L. (1999). An evaluation of the properties of attention and reinforcement of destructive and appropriate behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 32, 434-449.
Rhode, G., Jensen, W.R., & Reavis, K. (1992). The tough kid book: practical classroom management strategies. Longmont, CO: Sopris West.
Rock, M. (2004). Graphic organizers: tools to build behavioral literacy and foster emotional competency. Intervention in School and Clinic, 40, 10-37.
Scheuermann, B.K., & Hall, J.A. (2008). Positive behavioral supports for the classroom . Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson /Merrill Prentice Hall.
Shores, R.E., Gunter, P.L., & Jack, S.L. (1993). Classroom management strategies: are they setting events for coercion? Behavioral Disorders, 18, 92-102.
Skiba, R.J., Peterson, R.L., & Williams, T. (1997). Office referrals and suspension: disciplinary intervention in middle schools. Education and Treatment of Children, 20, 295-315.
Smith, D.D., & Rivera, D.M. (1993). Effective discipline (2nd ed.). Austin, TX: Pro-Ed.
Strain, P.S., & Joseph, G.E. (2004). A not so good job with "good job": a response to Kohn 2001. Journal of Positive Behavioral Interventions, 6(1), 55-60.
Sugai, G., & Lewis, T. (1999). Safe schools: school wide discipline practices . Reston, VA: Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders.
Sutherland, K.M., & Wehby, J. (2001). The effects of self-evaluation on teacher behavior in classrooms for students with emotional and behavioral disorders. Journal of Special Education, 35, 161-171.
Sutherland, K., Wehby, J., & Yoder, P. (2002). Examination of the relationship between teacher praise and opportunities for students with EBD to respond to academic requests (emotional and behavioral disorders). Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 10, 5-14.
Van Acker, R. (2007). Strategies for dealing with classroom aggression . Paper presented at the Working Forum of the Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders. Las Vegas, NV.
Van Acker, R., Grant, S.H., & Henry, D. (1996). Teacher and student behavior as a function of risk for aggression. Education and Treatment of Children, 19, 316-334.
Van Houten, R., Nau, P.A., MacKenzie-Keating, S.E., Sameoto, D., & Colavecchia, B. (1982). An analysis of some variables influencing the effectiveness of reprimands. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 15, 65-83.
Walker, H.M., Colvin, G., & Ramsey, E. (1999). .Antisocial behavior in schools: strategies and best practices (2nd ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brookes/Cole.
Weinstein, C.S. (2003). Secondary classroom management: lessons for research and practice (2nd ed.). Boston : McGraw Hill.
White, O.R., & Haring, N.G. (1980). Exceptional teaching: a multimedia training package . Columbus, OH: Merrill.
Witt, J., VanDerHeyden, A., & Gilbertson, D. (2006). Troubleshooting behavioral interventions: a systematic process for finding and eliminating problems. School Psychology Review, 33, 363-384.
Witt, J. (1986). Teacher resistance to the use of school-based interventions. Journal of School Psychology, 24, 37-44.
Zimmerman, E.H., & Zimmerman, J. (1962). The alteration of behavior in an elementary classroom . Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 5, 50-60.