I'm not sure that was the effect. The kids may have responded in the desired fashion after being struck by a ruler, but I bet they hardened their minds against that teacher. My parents hated the nuns who ran their schools like this and took every chance they got to undermine them, because of the ruler business.
Using size and power to rule children earns fear, not respect, and I think there are a lot of studies to back that up.
Using size and power to rule children earns fear, not respect, and I think there are a lot of studies to back that up.