The Effect Of Punishment On Children’s Brains

The effect of punishment is a hotly debated topic, especially in recent years. It forms the basis of the most traditional parenting system and is not only used in the family, but also in school and in various areas of society.

What makes the subject confusing, in principle, is the effectiveness of this method. The effect of punishment on children is immediate: it persuades them to do or stop doing something. The point is, this has also been found to only happen temporarily. If there is deep motivation for some behavior, it will break through despite being punished.

The truth is that bullying offers instant results and this leaves many parents alone, at least momentarily. However, it must also be taken into account that this method is ethically questionable and also illegal in many cases, but the worst thing is that in the long term it does not work.

The effect of punishment on the brain

According to Dr. Jorge Cuartas , physical punishment causes an atypical development in the brain of children. The high levels of cortisol that this causes, at a stage when the brain structure is still in formation, causes changes in the prefrontal cortex.

Likewise, a study published in the Journal off Agression, Maltreatment and Trauma  indicates that severe punishment is associated with a reduction in children’s cognitive abilities. This appears to have the greatest impact on children ages 5 to 9.

This not only applies to physical punishment as such, but also to  high-impact verbal and psychological aggressions, which have an effect similar to hitting.

It should be noted that there is not a single study that shows that this type of punishment has any advantage. On the other hand, it has been shown that, in addition to the possible damages, severe punishment is not effective.

The answer to punishment

The effect of punishment on the child is, in principle, the activation of the survival instinct. Against this there are three alternatives: attack, flight or paralysis. This operates automatically, without any reflection or decision on the matter. It just kicks in.

Physiologically, there is greater secretion of cortisol and adrenaline, which limits the ability to think, while increasing the intensity of some emotions such as anger or fear. Under these conditions, functions such as critical thinking, reasoning, etc., are diminished. As it is, there can be no learning.

After the punishment has been received, other intense and confused emotions also often appear. Sometimes there is guilt, shame, or resentment. Likewise, the child thinks that he is bad or that there is something wrong with him. In the meantime, he does not break down, or fully understand what was it that he did wrong, why it is wrong and what are the reasons to avoid it in the future.

Less severe punishments

The effect of punishment is not only negative when the sanction is severe or violent, but also in other cases. Psychologist Rafael Guerrero has said that the very nature of punishing is questionable. Apparently, what is sought is for the child to learn or improve some behavior. However, what it is about is to do harm to achieve it.

Sometimes the only recourse to do that damage is hit, yell, or humiliation. Other times pain occurs in the child in other ways. For example, some parents send children “to the corner”, supposedly to “think” about “the wrong thing” they have done. Most likely, they will not make that reflection (which not even many adults do), but will only think about getting out of that situation as soon as possible.

What remains after this is not an increased awareness of the conduct that prompted the penalty. On the other hand, the power relationship, the defenselessness against it and the impact of the punishing figure are fixed in memory. If he stops doing what he was punished for, it will be because of the pressure of circumstances, not because he “learned to behave”.

Perhaps one of the most valuable lessons an adult can teach a child is that error is a source of learning. It is easier and faster to “train” a little one than to nurture his conscience. However, as has been seen, the effect of punishment is very temporary, whereas a well-grounded conscience lasts forever.