... than simply relying on ideologically motivated arguments (Holden, 2002; Freeman, 2002). In this paper we shall evaluate some of the psychological evidence that would support the full legal ban of corporal punishment of children in the UK and other countries. A good starting point is to look at Gershoff's (2002) article, in which she investigates associations between parental corporal punishment and various child behaviours and experiences as well as how other factors might moderate or mediate such correlations. While causal inferences cannot be drawn from these studies, Gershoff (2002) also summarizes extensive amount of literature, which suggests reasons for abandoning the practice of spanking. Through word limit restrictions we shall focus on the findings of Gershoff's empirical data, rather than summarizing her theoretical review. We will then look at the critical accounts published in conjunction with Gershoff's study in Psychological Bulletin as well as Gershoff's reply to the criticism. The attempt to ...

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