Related Experiment Videos
Ordinary physical punishment: is it harmful? Comment on Gershoff (2002)
Diana Baumrind1, Robert E Larzelere, Philip A Cowan
1Institute of Human Development, University of California, Berkeley 94720-1690, USA.
Psychological Bulletin
|June 26, 2002
Summary
This review challenges the evidence linking corporal punishment (CP) to negative child behaviors, suggesting methodological flaws in prior meta-analyses. It argues that CP may indicate poor parenting rather than directly causing harm.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Child Psychology
- Family Studies
Background:
- Critically examines E. T. Gershoff's (2002) meta-analyses on corporal punishment (CP) and child behavior.
- Highlights methodological weaknesses, biases, and confounds within the reviewed research.
- Questions the validity of causal inferences drawn from existing studies on CP's effects.
Discussion:
- Argues that observed associations between CP and negative child outcomes may stem from underlying inept parenting.
- Suggests that the construct of CP might be a marker for broader issues in parenting practices.
- Proposes that negative child behaviors are linked to CP due to it being indicative of harsh, ineffective parenting.
Key Insights:
- Methodological limitations in meta-analyses restrict causal claims about corporal punishment.
- The association between CP and undesirable child outcomes may be explained by parenting quality.
- Existing evidence does not support a universal ban on spanking.
Outlook:
- Further research is needed to disentangle the effects of CP from other parenting factors.
- Focus should shift to understanding the nuances of parenting practices and their impact on child development.
- Distinguishes between corporal punishment and severe physical abuse, advocating for targeted interventions.