According to the Premack Principle, what is a suitable way to encourage a child to complete homework?

The Premack Principle suggests that more probable behaviors can be used as reinforcers for less probable behaviors. In this case, allowing a child to eat ice cream after they have eaten three bites of broccoli is an effective application of this principle. The act of eating ice cream is likely more desirable and enjoyable for the child compared to eating broccoli, which they may not prefer. By requiring the child to complete the less preferred behavior (eating broccoli) first, this creates motivation to engage in that behavior in order to access the more highly valued reward (ice cream).

Using this framework for homework, this principle indicates that by pairing a less preferred activity (homework) with a more preferred activity (playing with a toy, watching TV, or enjoying a treat), the child may be more motivated to complete the less desirable task to gain access to the preferred one. This effectively reinforces the desired behavior in a meaningful way, aligned with the Premack Principle.

In this scenario, the other options may not provide an effective motivator in the same way. They could either impose restrictions, which may not encourage positive motivation, or offer reinforcements that lack a direct connection to enhancing the child’s willingness to complete their homework.