Final answer:
Trevor spanking his son after a temper tantrum is an example of positive punishment, aiming to decrease future tantrums through an aversive stimulus. This method, however, is controversial and linked to potential increases in aggression and antisocial behavior, along with imitative actions by other children.
Explanation:
Positive Punishment :
Trevor's act of spanking his child after a temper tantrum at Wal-Mart can be described as an instance of positive punishment. Positive punishment refers to a behavioral correction technique where an aversive stimulus is applied in response to an undesirable behavior. In this context, the spanking serves as a consequence with the intent to decrease future occurrences of tantrums.
It is critical to understand the controversial nature of this approach. Studies indicate that physical punishment can lead to negative outcomes, such as increased aggression, fear of the punishing individual, and the potential to foster antisocial behavior in children. Examples demonstrate that children may imitate aggressive behavior modeled by parents, as in the case of Claire's daughter Anna using a belt on her teddy bear after witnessing her mother's punishment of her sibling. Alternatively, strategies like time-outs rely on negative punishment by removing the child from a positive situation, which can also modify behavior without the use of corporal punishment.