Question

A school-age boy is stomping around at the clinic, dropping markers on the floor, and saying in an angry tone, "I can't make the picture look right!" The nursing student noticed that his mother said, "You are in so much trouble for acting this way. Just wait until I tell your father how bad you were at the doctor's office!" The nursing student recognizes this type of discipline is ineffective because

a. the child's feelings are being maximized.
b. the mother is delaying punishment.
c. the father is not present.
d. the child's behavior is normal and does not need to be addressed.

Answer 1

The mother's discipline approach is deemed ineffective because she is delaying punishment. Immediate consequences are more effective, and reinforcement is generally favored over punishment. Cultural factors also play a role in how punishment is perceived and used.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nursing student recognizes that the type of discipline being used by the mother is ineffective because b. the mother is delaying punishment. Immediate consequences are more effective in modifying behavior, as they clearly link the behavior to the consequence. Delaying punishment can disconnect the action from the consequence in the child's mind, and the child might not fully understand what they are being punished for or may become anxious about the impending punishment.

Positive punishment can be effective but should be used cautiously, as it can sometimes teach fear or promote aggression. Instead, using reinforcement strategies, such as praising the child when they behave well (catch your child doing something good and reward them), is often recommended over punishment. Cultural factors, such as regional norms or levels of education, can influence attitudes towards punishment such as spanking, which has been shown to be less effective and potentially harmful.