There are extremely powerful observations that are known to people. From these observations, the theories are created and based on. They enable people in saying something like, “They could have told them that!”
The Start of the Premack Principle
Premack principle is one of the many observations that is spelled out and used forever. This first began as a unique idea of David Premack as he chosen to conduct an experiment involving Cebus monkeys. Evidently, the experiments were performed in monkeys with their participation by means of offering them their desired object.
Premack decided to provide for four various toys that monkeys can play with. Then, he noted how long they are going to spend time playing with it and limit their access on these toys. He offered them longer time of accessing on the toys they like best; however, this is when they played the toys that they play less frequently. Surely, they started on playing with less-liked to play with the most-liked and most desirable toys.
After trying it to animals, Premack also gave kids their set of behaviors. For the first part of the experiment, he allowed them of spending the time in playing pinball or eating candy. He then noted the activity that every child preferred.
The Second Phase
For the phase two, he divided the group for two halves. At the first half, if the children are interested in eating candy, then must first play with pinball. For another half, they must earn pinball by means of eating candy. The reactions of the kids mainly depend on the set and established preference. If the children played with pinball, their interest on candy has no certain effect in their behavior. On the other hand, if they consider candy as their first choice, they play and adapt pinball in getting the one they want. Despite any group or preference, this very same principle plays out.
Also known as Premack Principle in Psychology, this is where people can freely do the things they want and engage on some behaviors, like eating chocolate and potato chops other than exercising. Many probable behaviors may be tried for less likely behaviors to be reinforced.
Grandma’s Rule
As per the less likely behaviors, they will not do anything that may motivate people in engaging on even more likely behaviors. Actually, this is better called as the Grandma’s Rule. You can soon eat dessert after eating the greens first. No single grandmother will tell kids that they must eat sundae first before broccoli. In most cases, this is expected not to work and most people know the reason why.
It may seem that David Premack has gone a long way in arriving at this conclusion. However, his own work established the foundation of the later psychological treatment. If ever the patients are not interested in responding on any kind of rewards, it may be the right time to make use of Premack Principle in Psychology. For instance, their most liked-activity may be taken away from them until the time they cooperate.
Nevertheless, the principle of Premack further eliminates the requirement of making an experimental subject between a terrible punishment and great reward that brings out desired behavior. All that they need is the choice between lesser and greater reward.