On Gershoff's meta-analysis, from your meta-analysis link:
"...most of the research on physical punishment “lumps” together nonabusive and customary punishment with overly severe forms of physical punishment. For example, 65% of the studies in Gershoff’s (2002) meta-analysis included overly severe physical punishment in their measure, according to Baumrind et al. (2002). Examples ranged from vaguely defined “punitive discipline” (6% of the studies), composite measures of the frequency and severity of physical punishment (29%), and the inclusion of extreme violence (31%), such as slapping in the face (seven studies), beating up (three studies), or hitting with a fist and causing bruises and cuts (one study)".
The parent comment specifically mentions punishment at the very bottom of the scale and guradualy escalating from non-physical punishment.
On Gershoff's meta-analysis, from your meta-analysis link:
"...most of the research on physical punishment “lumps” together nonabusive and customary punishment with overly severe forms of physical punishment. For example, 65% of the studies in Gershoff’s (2002) meta-analysis included overly severe physical punishment in their measure, according to Baumrind et al. (2002). Examples ranged from vaguely defined “punitive discipline” (6% of the studies), composite measures of the frequency and severity of physical punishment (29%), and the inclusion of extreme violence (31%), such as slapping in the face (seven studies), beating up (three studies), or hitting with a fist and causing bruises and cuts (one study)".
The parent comment specifically mentions punishment at the very bottom of the scale and guradualy escalating from non-physical punishment.