Study: children spanked have lower IQs

New Haven (WTNH) - A world-wide study released Thursday shows children who are spanked end up with lower IQs.

The New Haven-based Yale Parenting Center and Child Conduct Clinic is backing up the findings.

University of New Hampshire professor Murray Straus says his study found a strong link between slower mental development and children who were spanked to correct misbehavior.

The head of the Yale Parenting Center and Child Conduct Clinic says that spanking also induces fear and aggression in children.

"The bottom line message is spanking is associated with so many negative things, it's the cigarette smoking of childrearing. Yes you'll find exceptions, don't do it, there are other ways," Alan Kazdin, Ph.D., of Yale University, said.

Dr. Kazdin says children do a lot better when parents praise and reward positive behavior rather than focusing on negative behavior.