Punished by Rewards: The Trouble with Gold Stars, Incentive Plans, A's, Praise, and Other Bribes
by Alfie Kohn
In Punished by Rewards, Alfie Kohn critiques the widespread use of incentives like gold stars, grades, praise, and bonus plans. He argues these 'bribes' undermine intrinsic motivation, leading to superficial compliance rather than true engagement. Drawing on psychological research, Kohn offers insights into fostering genuine interest and cooperation in education, work, and parenting.
About This Book
Punished by Rewards examines the pitfalls of relying on external rewards to encourage desired behaviors in children and adults alike.
The book critiques traditional incentive systems, such as gold stars in classrooms and performance bonuses in workplaces, arguing that they often produce short-term compliance rather than genuine interest.
Alfie Kohn draws on research to show how these methods can erode internal drive, foster competition, and overlook deeper human needs.
Through clear analysis, the work advocates for approaches that nurture autonomy and cooperation instead of manipulation through bribes.
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