Group Activity: Punishment Analysis
Punishment and Cruelty
(Group Activity Form)
©1999 Edward G. Rozycki
RETURN
edited 4/20/14

Step 1: Consider these related and contrasting terms. Don't worry about their definitions.
You will be asked if these terms are better suited to describe the situations below than the word, "punishment."
 
 

CHART A
Punishment
Cruelty
Some Related Terms revenge, retribution, reprisal, assault, discipline, rehabilitation indifference, malevolance, harm, infliction, damage, lack of concern
Some Contrasting Terms reward, gift, donation, favor, award, transfer, assignment concern, care, love, disinterest, love affection, regard, respect, warmth

Step 2: Read through all Case Examples below. Note their points of contrast and comparison.

Step 3: Identification of Examples. Working alone, use the following scale to evaluate each case as an example of punishment or cruelty.
Do each column independently:


CHART B: Case Examples
punishment?
cruelty?
1. 5 year-old Arnold is bitten by a squirrel after pinching his sister and running out into the backyard.    
2. Mrs. Smith slaps her 5-year old son, Arnold, 3 times on the buttocks vigorously because he pinched his little sister after having been warned not to do it.    
3. Mrs. Smith slaps her 5-year old son, Arnold, 70 times on the buttocks vigorously because he pinched his little sister after having been warned not to do it.    
4. Mrs. Smith slaps her 5-year old son, Arnold, three times on the buttocks vigorously because she enjoys doing it.    
5. Mrs. Smith gives her 5-year old son, Arnold, a cookie after he pinches his little sister.    
6. 6-year old neighbor Jeffrey slaps 5-year old , Arnold, three times on the buttocks vigorously because he pinched his little sister after having been warned not to do it.    
7. Mrs. Smith says to her 5-year old son, Arnold, "I wish you would die, you bad, bad little boy. I hate you," because he pinched his little sister after having been warned not to do it.    
8. Mrs. Smith slaps her 5-year old son, Arnold, three times on the buttocks vigorously because he pinched his little sister three years ago after having been warned not to do it.    
9. Mrs. Smith sends her 5-year old son, Arnold, to his room because he pinched his little sister after having been warned not to do it.    
10. Arnold slaps his mother vigorously three times because he is angry at her.    

 

Step 4: Team up with a partner. Note your points of agreement and disagreement.
Develop an explanation as to why you disagree.
What additional information in each case would bring you to agree on it?

Step 5: Combine your team with another. Note your points of agreement and disagreement.
Develop an explanation as to why you disagree.
What additional information in each case would bring you to agree on it?

Step 6: Repeat step 5 until the entire group (class) is included and reaches the best consensus possible on each item.
Complete this step before going on to step 7.

Step 7. Reclassify. Are some of the cases better described using words from Chart A?

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