Years ago, I was asked to work at the Toronto International Circus Festival, in the kids area. There were a few different activities that festival-goers could enjoy, including hula hooping, juggling, vaulting, and aerial hoops. I was asked to work in the vaulting/aerial hoop area. Let me paint the scene for you – this festival...
Years ago, when I was studying psychology in university, I learned that positive reinforcement is significantly more effective in shaping behaviour than negative reinforcement. While the premise seemed pretty clear – we will work harder for a pat on the back than we will to avoid punishment – it also felt rather confusing. It’s part...