by KC Kelly, Ph.D.

How many of you have children? How many of you work with children? I thought this was a very interesting view on the difference of behavior labeling for adults and children. Some may be a little severe and not always hold true in all cases, of course, but which ones do you agree with and why? Please share your experiences. I would love to have your input.

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 with friends, we call it socializing.
If a child laughs with friends, we call it misbehaving.

If an adult writes in a book, we call it doodling.
If a child writes in a book, we call it destroying property.

If an adult sticks to something, we call it perseverance.
If a child sticks to something, we call it stubbornness.

If an adult seeks out help for something, we call it counseling.
If a child seeks out help for something, we call it whining.

If an adult is not paying attention, we call it preoccupation.
If a child is not paying attention, we call it distractibility.

If an adult forgets something, we call it absent-minded.
If a child forgets something, we call it attention-deficit.

If an adult tells his side of a story, we call it clarification.
If a child tells his side of a story, we call it talking back.

If an adult raises his voice in anger, we call it maintaining control.
If a child raises his voice in anger we call it temper tantrum.

If an adult hits a child, we call it disciplining.
If a child hits another child, we call it fighting.

If an adult behaves in an unusual way we call him unique.
If a child behaves in an unusual way, we refer him for psychological evaluation.

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