http://www.eldergame.com/2009/08/reinforcement-concepts-for-designers/
Nice post about the psychological and learning ramifications of positive and negative reinforcement.
Key practical take-away points:
- Use negative reinforcement when something is required, positive when it is recommended.
- Overdoing negative reinforcement makes that aspect of the game seem like work. Although punishment works, players will prefer to play less punitive games, all else being equal.
- So a little punishment is good, but avoid too much
Also some interesting commentary on how tedium is a slightly different form of punishment to others.
I should read a little about operant conditioning and schedules of reinforcement…
Tags: Education