Gaps between Conceptualization and Measurement of Corporal Punishment

Corporal Punishment (CP) is a complex concept composed of perceptual and behavioral aspects by definition. Yet in many studies, CP was identified based only on its behavioral aspect. The present study addressed both aspects and examined the relationship between three variables: Evaluation of CP hurtfulness (level of pain); evaluation of CP effectiveness (positive behavioral change); use of CP. These relationships were examined with four additional variables: Child gender; economic family status; parental violence experienced by the mother in childhood; attitudes towards CP by others in the mother’s environment. The data was derived from a sample of 169 Israeli mothers with at least one child in elementary school. Findings demonstrated strong relationships between evaluation of CP hurtfulness, effectiveness and use. Furthermore, the two evaluation variables are affected by the four independent variables. Theoretical, methodological and practical implications are discussed.