Subjects judged the appropriateness of scenarios in which the degree to which a child was physically punished and the degree of provocation by the child were varied systematically. As predicted, appropriateness ratings decreased as the severity of punishment increased and increased as the degree of child provocation increased. Those who reported experiencing more severe discipline as children rated punishment as more appropriate than subjects who reported less severe discipline, but this was not the case for those who reported experiencing the most extreme forms of discipline. Subjects were particularly likely to rate punishment as more appropriate if they perceived their harsh disciplinary experiences as deserved. Males perceived punishment as more appropriate than females. Those who reported initiating more physical fights at home as children were more likely to perceive punishment as appropriate. The findings fail to support hypotheses relating the effects of observation of violence and nurturant behavior to perceptions of punishment. Study results suggest that it would be beneficial for prevention programs to target victims of harsh treatment. 2 tables and 25 references (Author abstract modified)