Spotlighting is described as a form of public praise designed to reinforce values.

• A. It is a private scolding
• B. Spotlighting is a form of public praise designed to reinforce values
• C. It is unrelated to values
• D. It is a form of punitive action

Answer: (B)

Spotlighting is a strategy in sport ethics where coaches, organizations, or media publicly recognize athletes who demonstrate valued behaviors, using praise and visible acknowledgment to reinforce those values. The reason this description fits best is that it focuses on positive reinforcement and the public nature of the recognition. By highlighting exemplary conduct—such as sportsmanship, integrity, or teamwork—spotlighting signals to everyone what behaviors are valued and encourages others to imitate them. The public aspect strengthens the message because peers and fans witness the praise, making the behavior more normative within the team or sport.

This stands in contrast to a private scolding, which relies on punishment or correction without public acknowledgment; spotlighting aims to reinforce, not punish. It is not unrelated to values, since the core purpose is to promote and sustain valued conduct. And it is not a punitive action, as the emphasis is on praise and role modeling rather than punishment. For example, publicly recognizing a player for fair play during a game broadcast or naming a sportsmanship award winner are classic spotlighting practices.