The Behavioral Profiling …of Children
Author Unknown
If an adult is reinforced for behaving appropriately, we call it RECOGNITION,
If a child is reinforced for behaving appropriately, we call it BRIBERY
If an adult laughs, we call it SOCIALIZING.
If a child laughs, we call it MISBEHAVING.
If an adult sticks to something, we call it PERSEVERANCE.
If a child sticks to something, we call it STUBBORNNESS.
If an adult is not paying attention, we call it PREOCCUPATION.
If a child is not paying attention we call it DISTRACTABILITY.
If an adult tells his/her side of the story, we call it CLARIFICATION.
If a child tells his/her side of the story, we call it TALKING BACK.
If adults raise voices in anger we call it EXPRESSION.
If children raise their voices in anger we call it a TEMPER TANTRUM.
If an adult hits a child, we call it DISCIPLINE.
If a child hits a child, we call it FIGHTING.
If an adult behaves in an unusual way, we call him/her UNIQUE.
If a child behaves in an unusual way, we refer him/her for a PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION!!
(Reprinted from the Colorado Society of School Psychologists Newsletter: Fall/Winter, 1991)
Michael Abruzzese, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist on Cape Cod and a former Clinical Instructor at Harvard Medical School. He is the author of Ten Lessons in Power Psychology; Psychology Tips and Techniques For People Who Would Never Visit a Psychologist’s Office. https://www.amazon.com/Lessons-Power-Psychology-Techniques-Pscychologists/dp/0991011708
