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When focusing on the type of damages awarded specifically to deter a defendant from engaging in similar conduct in the future, punitive or exemplary damages are the correct choice. These damages are not intended to compensate the plaintiff for losses incurred, but rather to punish the defendant for particularly egregious behavior and to serve as a warning to both the defendant and others.

This deterrent effect is crucial as it emphasizes the legal system's disapproval of certain actions and serves to discourage the defendant and others in similar circumstances from repeating such behavior. This type of compensation often arises in cases involving negligence or willful misconduct where the actions are found to be particularly harmful or reckless.

In contrast, compensatory damages focus on reimbursing the victim for actual losses suffered, statutory damages are predetermined amounts established by law, and restorative damages aim to restore a party to their original position, mitigating the impact of the harm suffered. Therefore, none of these serve the specific purpose of deterring future wrongful conduct like punitive damages do.