Punishment occurs every day in families, schools, and workplaces. But often the intended results fail to occur. Explain, in detail, six reasons why punishment fails. When punishment must be used, what guidelines should be followed?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answer: A good answer will include the following key points.
• Punishment may fail for the following reasons:
o People often administer punishment inappropriately or mindlessly.
o The recipient of punishment often responds with anxiety, fear, or rage.
o The effectiveness of punishment is often temporary, depending heavily on the presence of the punishing person or circumstances.
o Most misbehavior is hard to punish immediately.
o Punishment conveys little information.
o An action intended to punish may instead be reinforcing because it brings attention.
• As well as avoiding the above reasons that punishment fails, the following guidelines are important when punishment must be used:
o It should not involve physical abuse.
o It should be consistent.
o It should be accompanied by information about what kind of behavior would be appropriate.
o It should be followed, whenever possible, by the reinforcement of desirable behavior.