Children who weren’t spanked grow up smarter, scientists say

Children who aren’t spanked grow up smarter, say scientists at Old Dominion University

Scientists from Old Dominion University analyzed data on more than 12 thousand children and concluded that physical punishment, including spanking, indirectly affects abilities such as the ability to quickly move between tasks and working memory. Even infrequent spanking had this effect.

Also, physical punishment reduced the ability to control one’s own impulses, that is, it was not only inhumane, but also completely counterproductive.

Sociologist Jihye Kang and psychologist Cristina Rodriguez published their work in the journal Child Abuse & Neglect.