The behavior-focused sub-strategy of self-punishment has received criticism.
Manz and Neck (2004) stated that self-punishment is similar to "self-reward in that it
focuses on self-applied consequences for behavior. The difference is that it involves
negative rather than positive self-applied results to decrease undesired rather than
increase desired behavior" (p. 34). Manz and Neck acknowledged that "research and
writing have generally indicated that self-punishment is not an effective strategy for
controlling behavior" (p. 34), but they maintained that "at times, though, we need to work
on our negative behaviors" (p. 34). Since negative self-talk can be behaviorally
detrimental (p. 74), Manz and Neck preferred that such behaviors be monitored and
corrected through a supplementary feedback strategy of self-observation (p. 35).