The “Magic” Positive-to-Negative Interaction Ratio: Benefits, Applications, Cautions, and Recommendations

Abstract

In an article published in 2000, Flora indicated that 5:1 is the “magic” ratio of positive-to-negative interactions. Flora’s position is characteristic of the pervasive idea that there is a “magic” ratio of positive-to-negative interactions for improving interpersonal relationships. In the field of education, teachers are often recommended to maintain a specific ratio of positive-to-negative interactions with students (e.g., 5:1). Although this rule has good face validity, there is a lack of empirical support for any specific ratio. The authors support the idea of maintaining a high positive to negative ratio but argue against the use of any specific ratio. They include a discussion of the history of positive-to-negative interaction ratio recommendations, a summary of relevant research on students with emotional or behavioral disorder (EBD), an exploration of how teachers might adhere to these recommendations, and how each approach might affect students. The authors provide recommendations for teachers, researchers, and instructors in teacher preparation programs: considering how teachers might use the concepts behind the positive-to-negative interaction ratio to improve teaching, how instructors in teacher preparation programs might better teach preservice teachers, and advising how researchers might work to better understand the high positive to negative ratio.