Final answer:
The true statement regarding the effects of severe, intense punishment is that c. it may lead to avoidance of the punishing agent. Severe punishment can have negative impacts such as instilling fear, increasing aggression, and promoting antisocial behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
Regarding the effects of severe, intense punishment, the statement that is true is: c) It may lead to avoidance of the punishing agent. It's critical to understand that while punishment can decrease undesirable behavior, it may also have unintended consequences.
One such consequence is that the individual being punished may develop avoidance behaviors towards the person administering the punishment, which in some cases could be a parent or teacher. This might not align with the goal of promoting positive behavior or fostering healthy relationships.
In fact, severe punishment can instill fear, increase aggression, and encourage antisocial behavior. Studies have also shown that some deterrent approaches, like visiting prisons in the Scared Straight program, can increase the likelihood of crime rather than decrease it.