Final answer:
Corporal punishment was probably the first punishment imposed by society.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of punishment imposed by society has evolved over time, but one of the early examples of punishment can be seen in ancient civilizations. One of the earliest known forms of punishment imposed by society was corporal punishment. This involved physical acts such as flogging, branding, or mutilation as a means of punishing individuals who violated societal norms or laws.