Discipline 267487 222207641 2008-06-28T02:28:19Z 24.221.145.174 {{otheruses}} {{wiktionary}}{{wikiquote}} In its most general sense, '''discipline''' refers to systematic instruction given to a [[disciple]]. This sense also preserves the origin of the word, which is [[Latin]] ''disciplina'' "instruction", from the root ''discere'' "to learn," and from which ''discipulus'' "disciple, pupil" also derives.<ref>{{citation|chapter=Discipline|title= American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language|editor=Pickett, Joseph P. et al.|edition=4th|year=2000|location=Boston|publisher=Houghton Mifflin}}.</ref> ''To discipline'' thus means to instruct a person or animal to follow a particular code of conduct, or to adhere to a certain "<!-- this link is intentional. Discipline and order are semantically related. -->[[order]]." Consequently, "in the field of child development, discipline refers to methods of modeling character and of teaching self-control and acceptable behavior."<ref>{{citation|last=Papalia|first=D. E.|last2=Wendkos-Olds|first2=S.|last3=Duskin-Feldman|first3=R.|year=2006|title=A Child's World: Infancy Through Adolescence|edition=10th|location=New York|publisher=McGraw-Hill}}.</ref> So for example, to discipline a child to wash its hands before meals. Here, 'washing hands before meals' is a particular pattern of behaviour, and the child is being discipline''d'' to adopt that pattern. 'To disciple' also gives rise to the word ''disciplinarian'', which denotes a person who enforces order. An ideal disciplinarian is one who can enforce order without [[coercion]] for "family specialists agree that using physical force, threats and put-downs can interfere with a child's healthy development."<ref>{{citation|last=Barakat|first=Ibtisam S.|last2=Clark|first2=Janet A.|title=Positive Discipline and Child Guidance|url=http://extension.missouri.edu/xplor/hesguide/humanrel/gh6119.htm|location=Columbia|publisher=University of Missouri Extension}}.</ref> Usually however, the phrase 'to discipline' carries a negative connotation. This is because enforcement of order - that is, ensuring instructions are carried out - is often regulated through punishment.<sup>''cf.''</sup> <ref>{{citation|last=Douglas|first=Emily|last2=Strauss|first=Murray A.|chapter=Discipline by Parents and Child Psychopathology|title=International Handbook of Psychopathology and the Law|editor-last=Felthous|editor-first=A.|editor2-last=Sass|editor2-first=H.|year=2007|location=New York|publisher=Wiley|chapter-url=http://pubpages.unh.edu/~mas2/CP85%20-%20Discipline%20by%20parents-S%2BDoug-Ed%20Book.pdf| pages=1-2}}.</ref> ''To be disciplined'' is then, subject to context, either a virtue (the ability to follow instructions well) or a euphemism for punishment (which may also be referred to as ''disciplinary procedure''). As a concrete noun, the ''discipline'' refers to an instrument of punishment, for example in [[mortification of the flesh]] (see also: [[flagellation]]). Such an instrument may also be applied to oneself, for example in penitence for not being sufficiently self-disciplined. ''Self-discipline'' refers to the training that one gives one's self to accomplish a certain task or to adopt a particular pattern of behaviour, even though one would really rather be doing something else. For example, denying oneself of an extravagant pleasure in order to accomplish a more demanding charitable deed. Thus, self-discipline is the assertion of [[willpower]] over more base desires, and is usually understood to be a synonym of '[[self control]]'. Self-discipline is to some extent a substitute for [[motivation]], when one uses reason to determine a best course of action that opposes one's desires. ''[[School discipline]]'' refers to regulation of children and the maintenance of order ("rules") in schools. These rules may, for example, define the expected standards of clothing, timekeeping, social behaviour and work ethic. The term may also be applied to the punishment that is the consequence of transgression of the code of behavior. For this reason the usage of school discipline sometimes means the administration of punishment, rather than behaving within the school rules. ''[[Church discipline]]'' is a response of an ecclesiastical body to some perceived wrong, whether in action or in doctrine. Its most extreme form in modern churches is [[excommunication]]. ''Church discipline'' can also refer to the rules governing some ecclesiastical [[ordination|order]], such as [[priest]]s or [[monk]]s, such as [[clerical celibacy]]. An ''[[academic discipline]]'' refers to a body of knowledge that is being given to - or has been received by - a disciple. The term may then denotes a 'sphere of knowledge' that an individual has chosen to specialise in. In an institute of [[higher education|higher learning]], the term 'discipline' is often a synonym of '[[Faculty (university)|faculty]]'. In [[trade union|unionised]] companies, discipline may be a regulated part of a collective bargaining agreement and subject to [[grievance]] procedures. ==References== {{reflist}} [[Category:Virtues]] [[da:Disciplin]] [[es:Disciplina]] [[sv:Disciplina]] [[uk:Дисципліна]]