CFS135 Ch.6 (Exam 2)

Consequences

Individual Psychology (Adler)

• Theory that behavior aims for belonging & significance (goal of human beings)

  • Therefore, parents should help children feel capable & valued within the family

Evidence of Adlerian Program Effectiveness

• Research on Adler-Dreikurs parent education shows:

  • Improved cooperation

  • Reduced power struggles

  • Greater family communication

Danger Zone

• The area where consequences become punishment

• Driven by anger or control rather than teaching

Why are consequences in the danger zone?

• They can slip into punishment if delivered with anger or humiliation

• Dangerous because they can damage belonging

• Still useful when applied calmly & respectfully

Speed of Consequence Effects

• Change takes time

• Consistent follow-through builds long-term self-discipline rather than instant obedience

Either/or Choice

• Limited choice given to guide behavior

  • ex: “Either pick up your toys or I’ll store them”

When/then Choice

• Conditional choice used to promote cooperation

  • ex: “When your chores are done, then you can go out”

4 Goals of Misbehavior

1. Attention

2. Power

3. Retaliation (revenge)

4. Display of Inadequacy

Goal of Attracting Attention

• Misbehavior aimed at getting notice

• Respond by ignoring negatives (misbehavior) & rewarding positives

Goal of Displaying Inadequacy

• Misbehavior showing hopelessness (gives up)

• Aims to avoid failure

• Respond with patience & encouragement

• Encourage small successes & effort

Goal of Obtaining Power

• Misbehavior seeking control

• Respond by offering shared (limited) choices & responsibilities

Goal of Retaliation

• Misbehavior to get even (child feels hurt)

• Respond with empathy & repair relationship

Inferiority

• A natural feeling that motivates growth when met with encouragement

Intentionality

• Behavior is purposeful

• Aiming toward perceived goals

Discouragement

• Feeling unvalued

• Leads to misbehavior

Encouragement

• Recognizing effort & improvement instead of judging outcomes

• Rebuilds confidence

• Opposite of praise

Logical Consequence

• A planned, related, respectful response to misbehavior designed to teach responsibility

1. Identify misbehavior

2. Choose a related, respectful, reasonable result

3. Explain it calmly

4. Follow through consistently

• ex: child leaves bike out → parent removes it for a day

Natural Consequence

• Outcome that occurs naturally without parent intervention

• Use when the outcome is safe, respectful, & truly linked to the behavior

• Avoid if danger, humiliation, or damage could occur

  • ex: child forgets lunch → feels hungry until next meal

2 reasons for using natural & logical consequences:

1. They teach responsibility through real-life results

2. They maintain dignity by avoiding punishment & power struggles

Are time-outs logical consequences?

• Only if directly related, respectful, & reasonable (ex: cooling-off break)

• If used to punish, NOT a logical consequence

Soft Limits

• Inconsistent, easily bent boundaries that confuse expectations

Firm Limits

• Clear, consistent expectations enforced respectfully/kindly

• Firm but Friendly: combining warmth with consistent limits

  • Work best because they create structure without harshness

Social Discipline Model (Dreikurs)

• Approach using natural/logical consequences in a democratic family

• Adler’s ideas to parenting education

Democratic Family

• Family where members share respect, decision-making, & responsibility