Specific positive _______ is a social reinforcer and should be meaningful, specific and immediate.

Specific positive feedback is crucial in educational settings as it serves as a social reinforcer that encourages desired behaviors and academic performance. It is essential that this feedback is meaningful, as it connects directly to the student's actions, helping them understand what they did well. Being specific allows the student to know exactly which behaviors or efforts are being praised, reinforcing those actions in the future. Additionally, immediacy is important because it reinforces the behavior at the moment it occurs, enhancing the association between the behavior and the positive reinforcement. This kind of feedback not only motivates students but also helps build their confidence and encourages ongoing engagement in the learning process.

In contrast, the other options typically focus on less constructive forms of interaction that do not effectively support or encourage student growth. Criticism may highlight problems without guiding improvements, commendation, while positive, may lack the necessary specificity, and correction often focuses on what is wrong rather than providing affirmative reinforcements. Thus, specific positive feedback is the most effective tool for fostering a supportive and motivating learning environment.