Punishment as behaviour modification

Describe several disadvantages of using punishment as a procedure of behavior modification. Are there ways to eliminate or minimize these disadvantages?

Punishment is one of the most common methods used in behaviour modification to reduce or eliminate unwanted behaviours. Azrin and Holz (1966, as cited in Mazur, 2006) stated that punishment is possibly to be an effective solution as reinforcement, but consequently causing a few negative side effects. First, punishment may evoke negative emotion effect, including fear, anger, or reaction of aggressiveness against punisher or others. Second, punishment may lead to suppression of all behaviours, but not limited to the unwanted behaviours. Thirdly, punishment required the constant monitoring of the individual’s behaviour (Mazur, 2006).

A recent study demonstrated that punishment could lead to long-term effects. University of New Hampshire ([UNH], 2008) investigated the association of parental punishment behaviours on childhood experiences and sexual problems as teens or adult. One of the studies focused on risky sex revealed that 25 percent of students in the highest corporal punishment group involved in the unprotected sex behaviour; but only 12.5 percent of the students had the lowest score on the corporal punishment scale did so. It was concluded that children who are victim of punishment are inclined to have sexual problems as a teen or adult. Thus, punishment is one of the roots of relationship violence and mental health problems.

Punishment can be beneficial by improving the punishment method. Punishment should be combined together with discipline, which means that teaching and guidance along with the punishment. For example, when a child misbehaves, immediately teaching by helping them understand their emotion, and explaining why their behavior was bad. Immediacy of punishment is important to decrease the frequency of unwanted behaviours (Leon, 2008). Besides, the undesired behaviour may remain rooted when nothing existed to replace the behaviour. To solve this, punishment can be paired with reinforcement for an alternative behaviour that is incompatible with the unwanted behaviour (Mazur, 2006).

References:
Leon, V. (2008, Jul 28). LOVE TAPS: Parents who believe a little swat on the rear end is a good teaching tool defend themselves against those who believe there's no reason to spank a child. Spokesman Review, p.1.
Mazur, J. E. (2006). Learning and Behavior. (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
University of New Hampshire (2008, March 2). Spanking kids increases risk of sexual problems as adults. ScienceDaily. Retrieved August 11, 2008, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2008/02/080228220451.htm