Why Spanking
Isn’t a Good Idea
Thesis
• Spanking children is not a good way to modify
their behavior because:
– It is not as effective as other methods
– It has some undesirable consequences
“But I Turned Out Fine”
• Individual cases are not compelling evidence
• Lack of a control condition
• Probabilistic reasoning
Spanking as Punishment
• Spanking is a form of punishment: a
consequence which decreases a behavior
• Desired behaviors can’t be taught through
punishment
• New behaviors can be taught through shaping
Timing
• The consequence must occur right after the
behavior
• If the punishment is delayed, then the current
behavior (whatever it may be) is being
punished, not the target behavior
Increase
Behavior
Decrease
Behavior
Add Something
Remove Something
positive
reinforcement
negative
reinforcement
positive
punishment
negative
punishment
Alternatives to Spanking
• Negative punishment (paired with positive
reinforcement)
• Premack Principle
• Negative reinforcement for desired behavior
• Extinction of undesirable behavior (and avoid
partial reinforcement )
Alternatives to Spanking
• Social Learning Theory
– Learning through observation
– Modeling of desired behaviors
– Vicarious reinforcement
Undesirable Consequences
• Learned helplessness
• Classical conditioning
– Pain paired with spanker
– Elicits CR to spanker in future
Research Shows…
• Increased use of corporal punishment
predicts:
– Increased aggressive behaviors
– Increased aggressive behaviors in adulthood
– Decreased empathy
– Increased probability of mental health issues:
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Substance Abuse