1. Why Spanking Isn’t a Good Idea

2. 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

3. “But I Turned Out Fine” Individual cases are not compelling evidence
Lack of a control condition
Probabilistic reasoning

4. 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

5. 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

6. Add Something
Remove Something
Increase
Behavior
Decrease
positive
reinforcement
negative
punishment

7. Alternatives to Spanking
Negative punishment (paired with positive reinforcement)
Premack Principle
Negative reinforcement for desired behavior
Extinction of undesirable behavior (and avoid partial reinforcement )

8. Alternatives to Spanking
Social Learning Theory
Learning through observation
Modeling of desired behaviors
Vicarious reinforcement

9. Undesirable Consequences
Learned helplessness
Classical conditioning
Pain paired with spanker
Elicits CR to spanker in future

10. 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