Punishment is defined as "and outcome or consequence of a behavior that weakens the probability of the behavior". By that definition it sounds appealing since using it would theoretically remove unwanted behavior from children, even in school. Yet according to research done by BF Skinner, punishment has many negative effects.
There are two types of punishment: positive punishment and negative punishment. Positive punishment is where a stimulus is administered in attempt to remove the likelihood the behavior would repeat, for example getting a spanking. Negative punishment is where a stimulus is removed to reduce the unwanted behavior like taking away a child's favorite toy. The research done by BF Skinner, punishment shows what behavior not to do, it never reinforces the desired behavior. It is also known to cause children to be more subversive, and likely to model the punishment on others. If this is the case, why is corporal punishment , the deliberate infliction of pain, still legal to be used in schools in 21 states? The following video is short news story on the issue.
The video describes that in 21 states, spanking students with a wooden paddle, agess as young as three, is an acceptable form of punishment to be used in public schools. Teachers were even quoted on its effectiveness in teaching the right behavior yet the research has clearly shown that children that are physically abused are more likely to model that behavior and become abusers as adults. Why is this still in our schools?
Leave a comment