Describes two studies to test the following hypotheses: (1) delinquent behavior that corresponds to sex stereotypes will be punished more severely; and (2) delinquent behavior that deviates will be evaluated more negatively. Presents model illustrating how sex stereotypes about delinquent behavior lead to sex-related differences in attribution and…

There are specific legal restrictions on types of school disciplinary measures. The courts have tended to uphold traditional notions of school discipline, measuring these by the common-law yardstick of reasonableness or viewing the schools "in loco parentis." This article reviews major court decisions involving detention, corporal punishment,…

Sorts by theme cases involving ethical dilemmas and actions taken by 23 principals responding to a questionnaire. Most dilemmas involved teacher competence issues. Although administrators' ethical orientation fell within the normal range, only one principal demonstrated all six of K. R. Howe's moral reasoning components. Most lacked courage to act…

This article cites the incidence of corporal punishment in schools; levels of public support for it; and factors that place students with behavioral, emotional, learning, and mental disorders at risk for corporal punishment. Teachers are encouraged to educate themselves and others, to say no to corporal punishment, and to develop alternatives to…

This article describes the forms of corporal punishment practiced at Eton School (Great Britain) in the 1950s and argues that ritual beating must be seen as physical and sexual child abuse. The article notes that such institutionalized child abuse may continue in Third World nations that have borrowed from European practices. (DB)

This study found that 1,414 college students' descriptions of their personal punitive childhood experiences and experiences of siblings were similar, but subjects more often labeled their siblings' experience as abuse than their own experience. The evaluation of severely punitive events as abusive was a function of whether the punishment was…

Contends that, although the operant approach to psychology is based on objective empirical observations, much of psychology is filled with subjective, interpretive terminology. Argues that such terminology produces confusion over the definitions of basic operant concepts. Suggests a solution that defines the concepts of positive and negative…

Children's feelings of anger, jealousy, and even hatred need to be acknowledged and accepted by parents. This article suggests methods for teaching acceptable ways to express strong feelings. Because parents are role models for children, guidelines are also provided for parents on coping with their own anger. (IAH)

Explores Soren Kierkegaard's notion of punishment, which should interest educators because it provides a way to avoid the pitfalls of unjust punishment by viewing it in conjunction with the implications of guilt and forgiveness. The paper notes the need to question the notion of punishment closely and seek to understand its implications. (SM)

Explores four types of intervention available in treating self-injurious behavior (SIB). One effective, although controversial, treatment in reducing SIB involves use of Self-Injurious Behavior Inhibiting System (SIBIS), a device which delivers a mild electric shock following a blow to the head. Reviews and explains the ethical and legal issues…

Reports on two studies that assessed the relationship between mothers' and fathers' disciplinary practices with three-year-olds and outcome expectancies. Mothers who used corporal punishment at least once a week believed that it was more likely to result in positive outcomes than mothers who never or occasionally spanked. No significant…

Investigates the relationship between violence in childhood and later discrepancies in young adults' self-perceptions. Results show that reports of harsh punishment in childhood were modestly, but not highly, associated with greater discrepancies between how participants saw their actual selves and how they felt they ought to be. (RJM)

Describes the philosophy and procedures of Police Accountability Conferencing, a restorative justice approach in which police and school authorities, victims, offenders, and families are brought together in a process designed to hold youth accountable for their actions. Details the program's potential for reclaiming youth who have engaged in…

This paper presents a method for distinguishing between extinction and punishment effects. In extinction and punishment, different schedules of reinforcement or punishment are in effect when a given proportion of responses is blocked. Response patterns in treatment of hand mouthing in an adult with profound mental retardation suggest that a…

Examines the incidence of substance use and mental illness among jail inmates by analyzing differences and similarities in demographic characteristics and detention status in a sample of 5,785 subjects. Significant associations were found between membership in one of the substance use and/or mental illness categories and variables reflecting…