Effects of vicarious punishment: a meta-analysis.

Full Abstract

Vicarious punishment involves observing a model exhibit a behavior that leads to punishment for the model. If observers then exhibit the behavior at a lower rate than do individuals in a control group, vicarious punishment occurred. The authors report the results of a meta-analysis of studies that tested for vicarious-punishment effects. Across 21 research samples and 876 participants, the viewing of a model experiencing punishment for a behavior led to a significantly lower level of the behavior by the observers, d = 0.58. Vicarious punishment occurred consistently with (a) live and filmed models, (b) severe and nonsevere punishment for the model, (c) positive punishment alone or positive plus negative punishment, (d) various types of behavior, (e) adults and children, and (f) male and female participants. The findings have implications for the use of models in reducing undesirable behavior.

Author information

Author/s: Malouff, John (J); Thorsteinsson, Einar (E); Schutte, Nicola (N); Rooke, Sally Erin (SE);

Affiliation: School of Behavioural, Cognitive and Social Sciences, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia. jmalouff(-atsign-)une.edu.au

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Meta-Analysis

Journal: The Journal of general psychology (J Gen Psychol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Jul; vol 136 (issue 3) : pp 271-85

Dates: Created 2009/08/04; Completed 2009/08/21;

PMID: 19650522, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 8/21/2009, IMS Date: )

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