ABSTRACT
The behavioural approach to teaching is based firmly in the systematic and consistent use of the various forms of reward and, where necessary, punishment available to teachers in the classroom. Teachers are especially fortunate in that the classroom and the school contain a great many objects and events which are reinforcing for children. Advocates of the behavioural approach to teaching object to the use of punishment, not because of ethical or moral considerations, but simply because punitive techniques are, in the long run, ineffective. Punished behaviour is merely temporarily suppressed and is likely to recur once the punishment or fear of punishment is removed. Consequently, one needs to continue punishing to suppress a behaviour over a period of time and the mere fact of repeating the punishment is likely to lessen its effectiveness, possibly precipitating the escalation to more severe forms.
