Definition
A principle of learning which states that recognition and positive reinforcement of correct performance strengthen a learner's retention of that performance. When a student's effort or response is acknowledged favorably, the experience is more likely to be remembered and repeated than one that is ignored or met only with criticism.
Plain English
People remember things better when they are praised for getting them right. If a student does something well and the instructor says so, the student is more likely to hold onto that lesson and do it the same way again.
Context Anchor
Seen in flight instructor training during ground lessons, in-flight coaching, and post-flight review.
Why Pilots Care
Using this principle helps instructors improve student retention of critical procedures, leading to faster progress and safer pilots.
Intuition Check
Praise does not mean empty compliments or saying everything was good. Here it means naming a specific correct action so the learner knows exactly what to remember.
Example Sentence 1
Following the principle that praise stimulates remembering, the instructor told the student that her crosswind correction on landing was timed exactly right.
Example Sentence 2
By applying the idea that praise stimulates remembering during preflight checks, the CFI helped the student retain the correct sequence for future lessons.