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Punishment

An eye for an eye is one of the strongest human instincts, but reciprocating harm is not always the best course of action. Punishment sometimes works to condition people not to repeat misdeeds, and threats of negative repercussions can act as disincentives, but our ability to rise above our base instinct for revenge and judge each situation objectively and with an eye toward rehabilitation is one of the highest achievements of humanity and of civilization.

Revenge

Field Guide to the Enforcer: The Punishers

Why some people risk it all to punish evildoers.

by Mark Teich

Retaliation Self-efficacy: Lessons in Cool from a Streetfighter

You don't need to act immediately. 

by Jeremy Sherman, Ph.D. in Ambigamy

Why Are People Against the Bailout?

Lack of support for the bailout may have biological underpinnings.

by Dan Ariely in Predictably Irrational

Justice and Honor

Variation across cultures in attitudes about justice.

by Tamler Sommers, Ph.D. in Experiments in Philosophy

Why Getting Revenge Isn't Worth It

The best revenge is none at all.

by Guest Blogger in Brainstorm

See Also

Criminal Punishment

Women in Prison

Interviews with four female inmates of a maximum-security prison.

by Matthew Scanlon

When crime rates go down, recidivism rates go up

When crime rates go down, recidivism rates go up.

by Satoshi Kanazawa in The Scientific Fundamentalist

The Blame Game: Free Will and Responsibility

The burdens and blessings of belief in free will.

by Matthew Hutson

Crime and punishment? Moral deterrents for crime.

Morality can be stronger than jail.

by Art Markman, Ph.D. in Ulterior Motives

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Child Discipline

Should You Punish Your Child?

The alternatives to punishment.

by PT Staff

Parent, Not Patsy

Are you giving in to your child's tantrum?

by Lybi Ma

Rewards are Better than Punishment: Here’s Why

Why rewards are more effective than punishment--with children.

by Jay Belsky, Ph.D. in A Family Affair

Crime & Punishment: Rethinking the Bad Seed

Are psychopaths born or made?

by Josh Gowin

Punishment and the adolescent.

Getting punishment right when the teenager has done wrong.

by Carl Pickhardt, Ph.D. in Surviving (Your Child's) Adolescence

See Also

The Latest on Punishment

Revenge is part of everyone's life; we're raised on it. by Regina Barreca, Ph.D.
Negative reinforcement ≠ punishment! by Satoshi Kanazawa
You Can't Have the Best of Both Worlds by Edward A. Selby, M.S.
Sarah Palin defines passive aggressive style by Signe Whitson, L.S.W.
Used selectively with adolescents, punishment can have corrective influence. by Carl Pickhardt, Ph.D.
Physical punishment and punishing in anger can make matters worse. by Carl Pickhardt, Ph.D.
Babies understand others' feelings, but don't always act like it. by Jean Mercer, Ph.D.
The best revenge is none at all. by Guest Blogger
The last laugh is the best revenge; thanks Dr. Phil! by Regina Barreca, Ph.D.
What being bullied taught me about friendship by Lynne Soraya

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