Skinner and his followers believed that reinforcement is more effective than punishment in shaping children’s behaviour. Yet there still exists a wide variety of opinion over the best way to raise and...

Skinner and his followers believed that reinforcement is more effective than punishment in shaping children’s behaviour. Yet there still exists a wide variety of opinion over the best way to raise and discipline children. Read several sources of parenting advice offered in the popular media, locating some examples that favour reinforcement and others that favour punishment. What arguments does each side use to support its preferred parenting style? What claims do they make about shaping children’s behaviours, and are they supported by scientific evidence?