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The Third Pillar: Linking Positive Psychology and School-Wide Positive Behavior Support

Kristin D. Sawka-Miller
Siena College
David N. Miller
University at Albany, State University of New York

Abstract: The cultivation of positive institutions, or the third pillar of positive psychology, has received relatively little attention in the field. This article makes the case that negative school climates are contributing to a host of negative student outcomes. School-wide positive behavior support (SWPBS) is a prevention model predicated on the need to build healthy, protective school environments. It is argued that a primary basis for building positive institutions and successfully implementing SWPBS is positive interaction in general and praise in particular. The use of praise in schools is briefly reviewed, and specific strategies that can be used by the school psychologist to assess and increase rates of praise in schools through teacher consultation are discussed.

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