![]() Punishment refers to any event that weakens or reduces the likelihood of a behavior. There are two categories of punishment: positive and negative punishment. Positive punishment weakens a response by presenting something unpleasant after the response. An example of this type of punishment would be giving a child extra chores after they misbehave. Transversely, negative punishment weakens a response by reducing or removing something pleasant. An example of this would be taking away a child’s toy. Both of these methods of punishment will decrease the likelihood that a child will repeat these behaviors; however, there is does not seem to be one style of discipline that is clearly more effective or at least more frequently utilized. To find out the opinions of the local community, six high school students were asked, “what do you think is the most appropriate method of discipline and why?” Out of the six interviewed students, three of them three of them answered with some form of negative punishment. Their responses varied from taking away children’s toys to taking away cell phones and other privileges as a form of punishment for older children. Student A explains, “I think taking away toys is the most effective method of discipline because . . . they'll be more likely to follow directions the next time because they'll remember that you took away something they cared about. When I was younger I wasn't really disciplined, which is probably why I’m like this.” Student A’s response brings up an important point. The selection of high school students as the interviewees was in fact purposeful. This age group was selected because they are entering young adulthood, but can recall the various methods of discipline they experienced or currently experience. Thus, they can attest to which methods they believed are effective and appropriate by considering their own past. Two out of the six students believed that time outs, a method of positive punishment, was the most appropriate. Student B elaborates on the time out method, saying that “time outs are the most effective because it is time to think about what they’ve done, and it gives them time to cool off. And then afterwards asked them what they learned, and if they have no answer send them back. I mean thats what my parents did to me.” The final student did answer with a method of either positive of negative punishment. Instead, they actually answered with the second of operant conditioning forms: reinforcement. Student C believes that “being rewarded for good behaviors is the most effective.” This is classified as positive reinforcement, and is defined as strengthening a response by presenting something pleasant after the response. Even from these small, informal interviews, no clear conclusion can be drawn. Both methods are widely utilized and both seek to yield the same response. Just as in all other parts of parenting, it seems there is no easy answer. So, to all you parents out there, good of luck!
1 Comment
Interested in psychology
11/7/2017 01:33:49 pm
How interesting! I wonder if the different types of discipline affect other behaviors, like confidence, responsibility or compassion.
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