Teaching Students Discipline Without Fear
The Fijian Teachers Association's suggestion to reintroduce corporal punishment in schools raises questions about fostering sustainable self-regulation in children.
From a human origins and health-psychology perspective, discipline driven by fear and threat is likely counterproductive in the long run.
Discipline driven by fear and threat (physical punishment, intimidation) is likely counterproductive in the long run.
Why Fear and Punishment Undermine Learning
- Threat triggers primitive defense systems: when a child is struck or punished harshly, the brain often interprets it as danger.
In contrast, approaching behavior change through curiosity, internal motivation, and scaffolded self-control aligns more with how human cognition and social behavior evolved.
Author's summary: Teaching discipline without fear is crucial for sustainable self-regulation in children.