Met a couple that had a system setup for their young kids. They kept a behavior chart that tracked each day. They kept a drawer full of dollar store junk. At the end of the week, each child with X number of good days got to pick something out of the drawer.
The kids were driven to behave by this arrangement to great success according to the couple. I speculate it is because of a) a minor drive for a new toy and b) a major drive not to be the sibling without a new toy.
The kids will eventually grow to realize the one-sided-ness of this arrangement. But by then they will be have practiced positive everyday habits. And perhaps some negative ones around missing out or competition. There is always a trade-off.
But anyway, you can see certain elements of choice architecture in this system. Such as choice over time (reminder of future outcomes) and translating attributes (the chart with simple counts of all the siblings' good days). Above all it was engineered for the kids' benefit as well as the family's.
It is also a basic parenting tactic to steer behaviors in the right direction.
ooh very true! can you give a realistic example of parenting choice architecture? would love to include in my essay, with credit to you
Met a couple that had a system setup for their young kids. They kept a behavior chart that tracked each day. They kept a drawer full of dollar store junk. At the end of the week, each child with X number of good days got to pick something out of the drawer.
The kids were driven to behave by this arrangement to great success according to the couple. I speculate it is because of a) a minor drive for a new toy and b) a major drive not to be the sibling without a new toy.
The kids will eventually grow to realize the one-sided-ness of this arrangement. But by then they will be have practiced positive everyday habits. And perhaps some negative ones around missing out or competition. There is always a trade-off.
But anyway, you can see certain elements of choice architecture in this system. Such as choice over time (reminder of future outcomes) and translating attributes (the chart with simple counts of all the siblings' good days). Above all it was engineered for the kids' benefit as well as the family's.
Haha I enjoyed this one. Sibling rivalry is the best!