The PAX Good Behavior Game: One Model for Evolving a More Nurturing Society

Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev. 2020 Dec;23(4):462-482. doi: 10.1007/s10567-020-00323-3.

Abstract

This paper describes the culture and components of the PAX Good Behavior Game and offers it as one model for how to enhance the well-being of populations through the diffusion of nurturing practices into several venues of society. The PAX components, also known as evidence-based kernels, are proposed to be useful in classrooms, families, organizations, criminal justice, and in improving public discussion and government. Kernels affect behavior in the short- and long-term through combinations of antecedents, reinforcers, relational networks, and physiological effects. Identifying common strategies, tools, and clear targets of change is suggested as a way to work towards evolving freely available evidence-based tools that can be combined to improve social conditions in multiple contexts.

Keywords: Changing cultural practices; Evidence-based kernels; Nurturing environments; PAX good behavior game.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Altruism*
  • Child
  • Child Behavior*
  • Criminal Law
  • Games, Experimental
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Models, Psychological
  • Social Behavior*
  • Social Environment*
  • Workplace