Question

What is the implication for parenting based on research on the minimal deterrence phenomenon? Minimal deterrence will make a child more likely to internalize the idea that he or she doesn't want to engage in the undesired behavior. The more difficult it is for children to feel included in a particular activity, the more they will ultimately justify engaging in that activity by seeing it as good. Minimal deterrence is the most effective way to provide a child with sufficient external justification to avoid engaging in undesired behaviors. Children are the happiest if their parents allow them to explore the environment, without providing a strict set of rules and norms.

Answer 1

The answer is: minimal deterrence will make a child more likely to internalize the idea that he or she doesn't want to engage in the undesired behavior.

Minimal deterrence phenomenon refers to a situation when people choose to avoid a certain type of behavior by taking all the justification from doing that behavior.

Example of this would be teaching a child to focus on winning to compete in a athletic competition to stop eating unhealthy.

When children desire to win an athletic competition, they would perceive smoking as an act that will prevent them from getting what they desire. (their justification to eat unhealthy would be reduced)