Which of the following statements about punishment is true?

The statement that punishment can cause avoidance behavior is accurate because when an individual experiences punishment, they may try to evade the setting, person, or situation associated with that punishment. This could result in the individual learning to avoid not only the specific behavior that led to the punishment but also the context in which it occurs. For example, a child who gets punished for misbehavior at school might start to avoid attending school altogether.

Additionally, while punishment may lead to immediate compliance in some cases, this is not guaranteed; individuals may comply temporarily but still engage in the behavior later unless reinforced appropriately. The other statements suggest that punishment has immediate and effective outcomes or is free from side effects, which is not the case. Punishment can lead to negative emotional responses, aggression, and further behavioral issues, demonstrating that it is not always the most effective approach in behavior modification.