PUNISHMENT: A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR THE TEACHER OF MAINSTREAMED CHILDREN

A review of the literature on punishment indicates that the term has many definitions and connotations. Punishment has been de-fined as the presentation of an aversive stimulus contingent upon a behavior. It has also been defined as the withdrawal of a positive rein-forcer, or the removal of the opportunity to gain reinforcement. This article reviews the definitions and connotations of punishment vis-à-vis their application in educational settings. Specific reference to the use of punish-ment procedures with emotionally disturbed, educable mentally retarded, and normal children will help provide the teacher of a mainstreamed classroom with examples of ho