Running head: PRAISE: GOOD OR BAD?
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Praise: Good or Bad?
Meridith Hicks
Liberty University Online
PRAISE: GOOD OR BAD?
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Reference
SÆVEROT, H. (2011), Praising Otherwise. Journal of Philosophy of Education, Retrieved from
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/doi/10.1111/j.1467-
9752.2011.00811.x/full
Praise: Good or Bad?
Summary
Herner Saeverot (2011) in his article, “Praising Otherwise” defends a position where he
contradicts the behavioristic theory or praise in arguing that praising a child actually control’s
them (p.1). Throughout his article he examines if it is even possible to praise a child without
essentially influencing them or swaying them one way or another. He finds it very important that
children have the access to develop their own thoughts and not be controlled by another person
through praise.
Saeverot divides the paper into two parts. The part first focuses on the main problems of
praise and the latter focuses on specific problems of praise within education. He addresses the
main problems of praise and the limitations that impede from a teacher who gives praise. He then
poses a question whether there should be any praise at all in a classroom. That brings up the
topics of differences in positions where there is a power imbalance with the person/people being
praised and the person/people giving the praise. He covers three examples where praise is not
used to control people because they have already passed away. Finally, he covers what it means
to praise otherwise where he follows the view of Jacques Derrida in learning how to praise with
out truly praising; an indirect and unplanned way of praising.
Strengths
Any reader will appreciate Saeverot’s honesty in defending his position that controlling a
student through praise is never beneficial for a student, rather it hinders them. He has a well
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thought out argument and has many understandable examples that reinforce his points. Using
Alfie Kohn who tries to disengage praise from the behavioral theory is a strong source. Another
effective source is Immanuel Levinas who posed that each person is unique and needs to be
treated as such. He poses a compelling view that truly makes the reader question whether praise
is actually a good thing. It challenges a view that most people are not willing to consider, yet he
tackles it head on.
Weaknesses
This article could have so much influence if there was actual scientific data to back up
Saeverot’s assumptions. The only real way to measure the outcome of whether a teacher’s praise
actually controls and limits their students is by actual measureable records and statistics of how
students react and respond to praise. Whether they are truly controlled by praise or they are
genuinely inspired by it, it is hard to actually measure because there are so many variables.
Because of that assumption, it weakens his article. It seems like this article could be useful for
understanding what praise is, but until there is a way to measure praise, it does not seem fair that
praise truly controls a student or forces them to act a certain way in all situations.
Reflective Summary
Saeverot’s article was very appropriate and educational in what praising actually is and
how it can influence students in various ways. He took and interesting stance on what the best
way to praise student is. Looking at examples from the past was helpful. But, there was a lack of
substance for the article in regards to how praise is scientifically affecting students. This would
strengthen his argument that praising the conventional way isn’t best for students because it
actually controls students in a negative way. This still leaves a question: is praising without
praising truly praising at all?
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Teachers for the most part are behaviorists in the way they praise their students whether
they recognize it or not. Through out the chapter by Schunk on behaviorism, any positive or
negative reinforcement is honestly behavioral at its roots. So, in some sense we are all
behaviorists because human instinct wants to applaud when someone does something right and
even encourage someone when they feel like they cannot do a task.
Personal Reflection
My first reaction to reading Saeverot’s article was not a very positive one. I immediately
disagreed with his point of view on praise, but I thought the article would stretch me and inform
me because it was an opposing view. Personally, with praise and encouragement I feel like I can
do anything. Positive encouragement is something that all people hunger for and in a sense need.
Even learning to walk, children are encouraged to take their first steps. I believe that without
encouragement or praise people would not become all that they are designed be.
Summary Statement
Saeverot’s article was effective in depicting the opposing side of the conventional
behaviorist view of praise.
