Natural and Logical Consequences for Behavior
Consequences result from our actions.
- Natural consequences are
the experiences that naturally follow a choice or behavior. For example, going
out in cold weather without a coat naturally leads to feeling
cold.
- Logical consequences are consequences
chosen to follow behaviors that violate the acceptable behavior within a family
or other group. These consequences are set up to logically follow when a person
breaks family rules, values, or acceptable behaviors. For example, a young
child who throws a toy may be required to take a time-out to calm down and
think about his or her behavior. An older child might lose a privilege for
unacceptable behavior.
Positive consequences reinforce and strengthen a behavior, while
negative consequences help reduce or eliminate a behavior. Learning through
experiencing consequences is much more powerful than through a lecture or
punishment. Using consequences for misbehavior is an effective teaching method
for dealing with behavior problems in children and teens.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Louis Pellegrino, MD - Developmental Pediatrics |
| Last Revised | February 2, 2012 |