Psychology of Parenting
What Is Inductive Discipline

What Is Inductive Discipline

Martin Hoffman, an American psychologist, proposed three styles of parenting: induction, power assertion, and love withdrawal. Among these, inductive parenting was seen to be the best since it was linked to a variety of positive outcomes in children. Let’s define inductive discipline and how it’s utilized in parenting.

Inductive reasoning is a type of reasoning in which broad conclusions are obtained by inferring from data. This is in contrast to deductive thinking, which draws particular conclusions based on facts.

Here’s an example of inductive thinking in action. You get wounded when someone slaps you. As a result, when you hit someone else, that person must be injured as well. Even if you are not certain, induction allows you to reach a broad conclusion with some certainty.

This post may contain affiliate links. Full disclosure here.

–>check out this free parenting class<–

What exactly is Inductive Discipline?

Inductive discipline is a technique of parental discipline that entails utilizing logic (induction) to explain parents’ behaviours, attitudes, and disciplinary measures. Inductive parenting is a parenting approach that uses inductive discipline to establish clear limits, remind children of the rules, and explore the reasons for socially desirable behaviour with them.

This parenting style is more effective than the authoritarian parenting style.

Inductive discipline is frequently used by authoritative parents to teach norms, create expectations, and manage their children’s behaviour.

The Advantages of Inductive Discipline

There are fewer behavioural issues and delinquencies.

School-age children whose parents employed high levels of inductive discipline in early infancy were shown to have a lower risk of behavioural issues or delinquency.

Improved emotional self-regulation

Inductive discipline places a strong emphasis on verbal communication and allows parents to act as external regulators for their children. Children learn to control their emotions, avoid disruptive behaviour, and to self-regulate.

Empathy and prosocial behaviour should be increased.

Children whose parents employ inductive discipline rather than power assertion discipline are more prosocial. Parents teach their children their values through induction, allowing them to assimilate social standards in age-appropriate ways. These kids gain empathy, which leads to greater prosocial behaviour. ​

Better critical thinking abilities and academic performance

Indictive reasoning is a fundamental learning skill that is essential to the development of children’s intelligence and cognition. According to studies, inductive discipline is significantly associated with academic achievement.

Altruism and moral principles that are stronger

According to Hoffman’s idea, parents who utilize inductive discipline urge their children to focus on discovering the reasons for their parent’s behaviours. They explain to the childrens how their actions might have an impact on others. Anything we do has the potential to affect and have an impact on the lives of others. These childrens can grow and regard the needs of others. They have higher moral standards and are more compassionate.

Inductive Discipline in Parenting: What Is It and How Does It Work?

Tip #1: Make use of justifications.

The reasoning is at the heart of inductive disciplinary approaches. Instead of focusing on the transgression itself, while punishing, consider why the behaviour is improper and how it may affect others.

Tip #2: Begin early.

According to research, toddlers as young as 18 months old can begin to grasp the logic. Continue to attempt even if they don’t appear to “get it” at first. It requires practice, just like learning a new skill.

Tip #3: Use discipline to educate rather than to punish.

Understand the distinction between discipline and punishment (fear conditioning) — discipline is “to educate,” not “to punish.” Teaching and learning are both processes, not outcomes. Allow childrens the chance to practise and fail. When your child makes a mistake, assist them to understand why it happened and how to avoid it in the future.


  1. 1.Spera C. A Review of the Relationship Among Parenting Practices, Parenting Styles, and Adolescent School Achievement. Educ Psychol Rev. June 2005:125-146. doi:10.1007/s10648-005-3950-1
  2. 2.Alegre A. Parenting Styles and Children’s Emotional Intelligence: What do We Know? The Family Journal. December 2010:56-62. doi:10.1177/1066480710387486
  3. 3.Choe DE, Olson SL, Sameroff AJ. The interplay of externalizing problems and physical and inductive discipline during childhood. Developmental Psychology. 2013:2029-2039. doi:10.1037/a0032054
  4. 4.Chang H, Olson SL, Sameroff AJ, Sexton HR. Child Effortful Control as a Mediator of Parenting Practices on Externalizing Behavior: Evidence for a Sex-Differentiated Pathway across the Transition from Preschool to School. J Abnorm Child Psychol. July 2010:71-81. doi:10.1007/s10802-010-9437-7
  5. 5.Krevans J, Gibbs JC. Parents’ Use of Inductive Discipline: Relations to Children’s Empathy and Prosocial Behavior. Child Development. December 1996:3263. doi:10.2307/1131778
  6. 6.Csapo B. The Development of Inductive Reasoning: Cross-sectional Assessments in an Educational Context. International Journal of Behavioral Development. 1997;20(4):609-626.
  7. 7.Eisenberg N, Morris AS. Social Justice Research. 2001:95-120. doi:10.1023/a:1012579805721
  8. 8.Repacholi BM, Gopnik A. Early reasoning about desires: Evidence from 14- and 18-month-olds. Developmental Psychology. 1997:12-21. doi:10.1037/0012-1649.33.1.12

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.
