Hi everyone, I have attempted my first essay question in preparation for section 2 of the GAMSAT. I would appreciate it if anyone could give me some feedback please? I am not sure if what I have included is relevant to the title but I've tried my best. Also if anyone who has sat the GAMSAT In recent years could please tell me what essay titles they answered or what kind of essay titles there were. Thank you. "Speaking generally, punishment hardens and numbs, it produces concentration. It sharpens consciousness of alienation, it strengthens the power of resistance". This quote emphasises the effect of using punishment on ones behaviour. It points out that punishment acts as a form of discipline whereby it alters an individual's behaviour so that they are obtain more control over their actions. For example, this is often used in schools whereby children receive punishment in the form of detentions and warnings as a consequence of misbehaviour. This punishment is used to have an effect by encouraging the pupils to concentrate in class and resist doing things that will get them in to trouble. An example of this punishment involves the use of canes that were once used by teachers in schools on children who did not concentrate in class or who were disobedient. This form of punishment had proven to be successful in strengthening the power of resistance to performing actions that they know will cause them to be punished. In comparison to modern day punishment where the cane is no longer used and the consequences are reflected by children being disobedient to teachers, lacking concentration in class and becoming easily distracted. In addition, as a punishment of crime, some individuals who are sent to prison also develop resistance to performing further crime because criminals may not want to spend time in prison especially if they have family commitments. The acknowledgement of possible punishment such as jail harden and numbs, sharpens the consciousness of alienation and influences an individuals future actions. On the other hand, it can be argued that punishment is ineffective in causing these changes in an individual. For example, punishment of a child by their parents in the form of taking away their toys when they become disobedient. This can lead to the child becoming angry and rebellious rather than having effect to increase the child's power of resistance to doing unacceptable things. This is evident from parents who become stressed and unable to cope with handling their children and therefore require a nanny to help with childcare. This is further supported by use of punishment in schools having a negative impact on the child's behaviour. For example, the use of verbal warnings at pupils often results in the pupil answering back at the teacher in front of their peers as they feel embarrassed for being told off. Furthermore, punishment may also create more anger in an individual rather than having a positive impact. For example, bad experiences within prison such as witnessing aggressive behaviour from other criminals or even experiencing abuse themselves can have a negative impact on that individual. This is evident from the high numbers of criminals who leave prison and the commit more crimes and consequently end up back in prison. In conclusion, punishment can have a positive impact on an individuals behaviour in some cases by producing concentration for example in the classroom, and increase power of resistance in situations of crime and within the family home as shown in previous examples. However, depending on the form of punishment it may result in a negative effect instead. Therefore punishment does not always change an individual in these ways.