Final answer:
Punishment can be used to decrease undesirable behavior, but it is important to be cautious as it may have negative effects. Reinforcement is often preferred over punishment in modern approaches.
Step-by-step explanation:
Punishment, especially when it is immediate, is one way to decrease undesirable behavior. For example, if a child hits their sibling, they could be given a punishment like writing a sentence repeatedly. However, it's important to be cautious with physical punishment as it can teach fear and may even lead to more aggressive behavior in the long run. In today's approach, reinforcement is often favored over punishment, where positive behavior is rewarded instead.