... immediately follows the response (as cited in Leslie, 1996, pg. 256). Misbehaviour persists in spite of punishment because it is also reinforced. This happens when the alternative of other behaviours are so daunting and unknown that they think they may receive more punishment for the behaviour they have already carried out. 'Whenever we are punished, more and more elements of our environment can become negative reinforcers and punishers' (Murray, 1989, pg 78). We begin to react to most of the environments, things and people around us as 'natural punishers'. Our societal environment becomes our punisher or as Murray phrases it 'Anyone who uses shock becomes a shock' (1989, pg 79). Also the punisher is reinforced for what they do. It is a sense of power for them, that they can control one's behaviours by using coercion on them. Yes, this is a very bleak and maybe exaggerated view of how ...

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