Positive and Negative Incentives

Grade levels:

CONTENT STATEMENT

  1. Both positive and negative incentives affect individuals’ choices and behaviors.

CONTENT ELABORATION

Positive economic incentives reward individuals financially for making certain choices and behaving in a certain way, for example:

  • extra money for raking leaves;
  • free toy with a meal; and
  • allowance for doing chores at home.

Negative economic incentives penalize individuals financially for making certain choices and behaving in a certain way, for example:

  • late fee for a library book;
  • cost of receiving a speeding ticket; and
  • fine for littering at the park.

EXPECTATIONS FOR LEARNING

Give examples of positive and negative incentives that affect individuals’ choices and behaviors.

Companies addressing the standard: