Premack Principle

The Premack principle is sometimes referred to as the “grandma’s rule” or first/then. This is because at grandmas, you first eat your dinner and then get a cookie. It is a principle of reinforcement that states that more probable behaviors will reinforce less probable behaviors. First get out of bed (low probability), then coffee (high probability). First work (less desired), then get paid (more desired). 

We operate under these contingencies all of the time. We can use them to our advantage in the classroom for both our student’s behavior and our own. The following are some tools and tips to take advantage of the Premack principle in your classroom and your life. 

First, Then language 

Use clear ‘first, then’ language in the classroom. We don’t want to work endlessly without reinforcement, and neither do our kiddos! Letting your students know what they are working for, or what is coming up next once they complete their assignment will increase compliance must faster versus working with no end in sight. 

Build it into your schedule 

Building fun activities into your schedule, or consistently following the most difficult period or task with a more preferred activity will help increase compliance and success in your classroom. For example, putting math (or whatever the most difficult part of the day is) right before recess or gym will help increase the likelihood of success within that period. To read more about schedules in the special education classroom, click HERE. It doesn’t always have to be a most preferred activity either – you can do this with your most preferred or successful academic period too. If science is consistently smooth, easy and enjoyable, use that to reinforce a period that tends to be less successful. 

Use visuals 

Using first/then boards, visual schedules or even keeping tangible evidence of what’s coming (e.g. lunch boxes out, candy treat on your desk) will help serve as a visual prompt of what the expectation is. It will keep students on track and will decrease how often you need to give reminders of what everyone should be doing. 

Here is an example of a first/then card. Simply re-use it through the day either as a class for for individual students. For less visual students can simply write out, “First math, then walking break” on top of their math worksheet. It does NOT always need to be fancy. If it works, stick with it!

Use it to modify your own behavior 

Having a hard time doing lesson planning, grading, or going to the gym? Set a contingency that you can only (preferred activity) after you first complete your less preferred activity. For example, I know that I have to finish all of my weekly to do list for work before I can go to the beach on the weekend. Knowing that preferred item or activity is coming will increase the likelihood of the lower probability behavior.

Using this contingency to increase compliance in your classroom and your life is not just a short-term tool. By definition of reinforcement, it will also increase the future likelihood of the behavior occurring again. Using the Premack principle to motivate and change behavior in the direction you want to see is not only effective, but fun too. Who doesn’t want to work towards something they enjoy! 

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