The question that I have is how is a positive reinforcement going to teach a child or person not to repeat the wrong behavior.

2 answers

Read, read, read ... and let us know what you decide to write.

http://www.google.com/search?q=how+does+positive+reinforcement+work&oq=how+does+positive+reinforcement+work&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l5.6551j0j7&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=119&ie=UTF-8
http://drdavespsychologypage.homestead.com/Reinforcement__Controlling_Behavior.pdf

http://drdavespsychologypage.homestead.com/Reinforcement__Random.pdf

Be aware that even mere attention can be a reinforcer.