It’s that time of the year again. Chocolate treats are everywhere. Retail shops start pushing Easter not long after the Christmas decorations come down.

Lucky we know a little about the psychology of marketing. Otherwise we may suspect that Cadbury do a secret deal with children.

All the pretty coloured wrappers shining and teasing the kids. Shopping is hard enough without the Easter promotion. The youngsters eyes light up when they see the gold bunny or their favourite characters plastered all over the chocolate treats.

Babies reaching out from the trolley in an attempt to grab at the sparkling colours. Three year olds put on their thinking caps. Wondering how they’re going to get their mommy to buy them chocolates. The five year old coming straight out with it. Asking for sugar treats. Not accepting no as an answer.Continue reading→

Have you ever met someone who tells a story, yet you feel they are not sharing the truth? It makes you feel a little cheated. Disappointed in them. If they’ve fibbed once you may wonder how many others times they’ve done the same thing. Lying is a learned patterned behaviour.

It differs from those who embellish their version of events. Wanting to spice up their tales keeping it interesting for the audience.

A perpetual liar requires the memory of an elephant. Having to remain alert at all times. Constantly watching what is flowing from their mouth.

One lie leads to another. If they don’t remain on top of it, they will be found out. Losing all creditability.

The process of patterned behaviour.

Say for instance, a parent is in the habit of bullying their child. The young person had to think on their toes otherwise they would be unfairly punished.

After a while the child masters the skill of lying. Sneaky and sly are a part of their forte. Becoming an expert at telling people what they want to hear.

It’s not a natural instinct. It became a part of a survival process the child had to inhabit to get around a powerful adult.

Continue reading→

Tag Archives: Positive and Negative Reinforcement Create Patterned Behaviour.

Easter Time, Chocolate Treats and the Child Negotiator

Positive and Negative Reinforcement Create Patterned Behaviour.

The process of patterned behaviour.