Jan-Willem van Prooijen is Associate Professor at the Department of Experimental and Applied Psychology of VU University Amsterdam, and a Senior Researcher at the Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement (NSCR).

"This book could make for an interesting read for students and general readers, if only to stimulate renewed debate on the contentious ideas it rehashes" -- Metapsychology Online Reviews

"Whether sitting on a jury or shaking a finger at a wayward child, have you ever stopped to wonder why you had that urge to punish? This book is the answer to that question! Drawing on a vast array of evidence from psychology, neuroscience, evolutionary biology, anthropology and philosophy, Jan-Willem van Prooijen engagingly explains our urge to punish, its origins and purpose, and why punishment is so intricately intertwined with morality. This is a timely and compelling book with valuable lessons for our increasingly pluralistic society." --Sarah Brosnan, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Georgia State University

"van Prooijen thoroughly reviews the pertinent conceptual frameworks and empirical findings on punishment and integrates them into a consistent and plausible conceptual framework that builds on the assumption that the effectiveness of punishment to comply with social norms has helped a 'sense of morality' evolve. This is a valuable, well-written, and thought-provoking book, and it will attract a broad readership inside and outside academia." --Mario Gollwitzer, Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Marburg