Citation

Hess CA, Gray JM, Nunez NL. J. Interpers. Violence 2012; 27(13): 2728-2739.

Affiliation

University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, USA; University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0886260512436392

PMID

22328652

Abstract

Previous research has suggested the use of corporal punishment is widely endorsed in our society (Straus, 2000; Straus & Stewart, 1999). Furthermore, perceptions of what constitutes corporal punishment vary. The present study examined social dominance orientation (SDO) and age of child as potential factors that may influence perceptions of what is viewed as corporal punishment versus physical abuse. The sample consisted of 206 undergraduate students enrolled at a Rocky Mountain University. A series of regressions were used to examine the relationships between SDO and six forms of punishment. Findings suggest, higher levels of SDO are significantly related to more ratings of physical punishment versus physical abuse. The primary findings of the present study showed SDO was significantly related to how an individual perceives corporal punishment. These results have important implications by serving as a stepping-stone into further understanding what factors may have an influence on perceptions of corporal punishment.

Language: en