Problems with Punishment

Flammability. The flammability issue is another area where consistent testing methods can demonstrate that certin plastic products can perform with predictable safety. In the early 70s, there were some admittedly regrettable problems with plastic insulations. A regulatory scramble followed, punishing all of the industry for the abuses of a few. The public became somewhat distrustful, a problem that has taken years to overcome. 

With time, Saul developed an instinct for dealing with late and non-delivering authors, a major problem with multi-author volumes. He had a set of self-imposed rules that tried not to punish the authors who delivered on time and expected prompt publication of their chapter by being strict with authors who caused unnecessary delays, but at the same time he was flexible when an author of a major chapter, or an author with real problems, was late in delivering his manuscript. Consequently, many former authors who never met Saul personally expressed their admiration of the man and his work. 

Overcoming our cultural bias to punish people for their mistakes and the common belief that punishment is the only way to change behavior can be very difficult. But the payoff is enormous if we want to significantly reduce accident rates. Trust is a critical requirement for encouraging people to share their mistakes and safety problems with others so something can be done before major losses occur. 

Many safety programs are based primarily on punishment. Punishment is reactive and focuses on unsafe acts rather than emphasizing safe behavior. McSween notes there are numerous additional problems with punishment that are not readily apparent. For example ... 

It is effective only in the presence of the punisher. An additional problem with rehance on punishment is that employees soon learn they must follow procedures only when certain supervisors or managers are present or nearby. They learn when they can bend the mles without fear of correction or discipline. The adage When the cat s away, the mice will play directly pertains here. Our educational systems often struggle with this problem. When a teacher who relies on punishment as the primary motivation for good behavior leaves the classroom for a length of time, more often than not the quiet and orderly classroom quickly becomes chaotic. 

Another major problem with overreliance on punishment is that it discourages cooperation and problem solving. When someone criticizes our work, do we go into a problem-solving mode Do we work diligently to help resolve the problem No way What do we do We become defensive. We begin to make excuses, to rationalize, to explain why we could not have done differently, perhaps to claim how those we depend on prevented us from behaving differently or otherwise blame others. Punishment undermines the cooperation required for teamwork. 

For Andrew Dearman, writing for the New International Commentary on the Old Testament, Israel s violent punishment is justified. Like Simundson, he recognizes that some readers might have a problem with Hosea s disparaging imagery however, he encourages his readers not to take it too seriously ... 

Advise people at risk for problems of their risk status, and counsel them to avoid alcohol and drugs. Arrange the environment to reinforce nonabuse of substances do not reinforce, or punish, abuse provide models of appropriate substance use debunk m hs about alcohol and drugs teach nondrug alternatives for coping with stress. 

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