Discipline and PunishmentErica Jordan, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Applied Developmental Psychology

The University of West Florida, Psychology

Discipline is…

Reciprocal Discipline

Punishment is…

Expiatory Punishment

The Hot Topic:Corporal PunishmentAny intentional infliction of pain in response to a

child’s unwanted behavior or language

AKA: physical punishment, and physical discipline

Can range in frequency, severity, quickness of administration, and duration across childhood

Common forms Slapping on the leg, arms, or rear (spanking) Hitting with a hand or an object Pinching Washing mouth out with soap or making the child

taste hot sauce as a punishment

Approval of CPMajority of parents approve but approval rating

has declined during the last few decades (Straus, 1996) 1968: 1994: International Parenting Study analysis currently in

progress

Even parents who do not approve of corporal punishment may use it at times

Prevalence of CPMost children receive some form of corporal

punishment at least once during childhood

In the United States (Straus & Stewart, 1999): Infants prior to age 1: Preschoolers: Roughly half of 12 year old children About 25% of children between the ages of 14 and

17

Variations by…Gender of parent

Parents own experiences

Socioeconomic status

Race of parent

Religious beliefs of parents

Geographic location of parent

Number of children in the family

Age of child

The Controversy:What’s the Big Deal?Many parents rely on corporal punishment

Belief that it is for child’s own good and not harmful Belief that they received it and “turned out fine/OK” Cite religious scripture and common sayings (spare

the rod, spoil the child)

Research has found that CP is effective for achieving immediate compliance (Gershoff, 2002)

Research has also found that CP poses several threats to children’s development which has called its use into question (Gershoff, 2002)

An Overview of the Research Findings Immediate compliance

Lower moral internalization

Greater aggression

Greater externalizing behavior problems

Greater risk of depression later in life

Greater risk of abuse of spouse or child

Greater risk of sexually deviant behavior

Regardless of the Research… It is very unwise for professionals to

recommend corporal punishment—you never really know who you are talking to

Many school settings and childcare settings prohibit CP

Even parents who do use CP would like to be aware of alternative strategies

There are some non-physical strategies that can also pose a threat to children

Strategies for Effective Guidance: Making Discipline WorkBe nurturing and responsive on a regular basis—

stay connected

Begin with age-appropriate expectations! We all need a little grace at times

Promote positive behavior

Attempt to understand the child’s motivation—how are they conceptualizing the situation?

Value each child’s uniqueness

Begin early

Encourage children to think and reason through a problematic situation

Be consistent! (But still be age-appropriate)

Recognize that nothing is effective all of the time—it’s a process

A Few Good StrategiesRedirection

Natural Consequences

Logical Consequences

Making and Enforcing Rules

Emotion Coaching

Problem Solving Discipline

Time Out with a Problem Solving Approach

Take a Parent’s Time Out

RedirectionGreat for infants and toddlers, and good for

older children, too!

Attempt to view the situation through the child’s eyes.

Simply help the child to focus their attention on something else.

Create an environment that enhances positive behavior.

Be a thinking parent and anticipate problematic situations when possible.

Natural ConsequencesParent does nothing and lets the situation

teach the lesson.

The easiest option (well sometimes).

Do nothing. Let the consequence of the misbehavior teach the lesson.

Logical ConsequencesParental enforcement is required.

Do something, but make it related to the misbehavior.

Guide the child in making the situation right.

Include them in the discipline process. What do you think I should do in this situation? What do you think you should do in this situation?

Follow through with your discipline plan.

Make Rules and Enforce ThemInvolve child in making rules.Ask the following…

What are you doing? (Bring attention)What is the rule? (Help them to

remember and articulate)Why do we have this rule? (Helps child to

understand the reason for the rule)What is the consequence for breaking the

rule? (Reinforces that misbehavior has consequences)

Follow through with the consequence!

Emotion CoachingAddress the misbehavior.

Discuss the misbehavior with the child to determine the cause.

Focus on helping the child pinpoint his or her negative feelings.

Encourage the child to think of alternative ways to deal with those feelings.

Problem Solving DisciplineDiscuss the misbehavior with the child.

Encourage the child to identify the problem. Help the child to understand their misbehavior. Encourage the child to generate alternative ways

to deal with the problem in the future. The more possibilities that the child generates, the better.

Time Out: A Better WayPut the child in a designated area to think

about what they did wrong and what they could have done differently.

Use an age appropriate timeline (about a minute for each year of age).

Before removing the child from time out, discuss how they misbehaved and what they could do next time.

Take a Time Out for Yourself If you are feeling overwhelmed, ensure that the

child is in a safe place and take a break.

Use humor when appropriate.

Take care of yourself!

Spend positive time with your child.

Special ThanksDr. Mary Elizabeth Curtner-Smith

Associate Professor, University of AlabamaDepartment of Human Development and Family Studies/Department of Psychology

Further Reading“Hands-On”Applied Sources

The Discipline Book by William Sears, M.D., and Martha Sears, R.N.

www.askdrsears.com

Parenting Assistance Line: www.pal.ua.edu

Attachment Parenting International: www.attachmentparenting.org

Families Count: www.familiescount.net

Raising a Thinking Child: Help Your Young Child to Resolve Everyday Conflicts and Get Along with Others by Myrna Shure & Theresa DiGeronimo

Research Articles and Sources

Beating the Devil Out of Them by Murray A. Straus, Ph.D.

Gershoff, E. T. (2002). Corporal punishment by parents and associated child behaviors an experiences: A meta-analytic and theoretical review. Psychological Bulletin, 128(4), 539-579.

Smith, A. B. (2004). What do children learn from being smacked: Messages from social science theory and research. Childrenz Issues, 8(2), 7-15.

Straus, M. A., & Stewart, J. H. (1999). Corporal punishment by American parents: National dataon prevalence, chronicity, severity, and duration, in relation to child and familycharacteristics. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 2, 55-70.

Mulvaney, M. K., & Mebert, C. J. (2010). Stress appraisal and attitudes towards corporalpunishment as intervening processes between corporal punishment and subsequentmental health. Journal of Family Violence, 25, 401-412.