Punished by Rewards: the Trouble with Gold Stars, Incentive Plans, A’s, Praise, and Other Bribes by Alfie Kohn (1999)

Alfie Kohn’s book, “Punished by Rewards,” offers a fresh perspective on motivation, challenging the widespread belief that rewards are effective tools for behavior change. Kohn delves into the potential negative consequences of relying on rewards, arguing that they undermine intrinsic motivation and hinder long-term growth. Supported by research and real-life examples, the book prompts readers … Continue reading Punished by Rewards: the Trouble with Gold Stars, Incentive Plans, A’s, Praise, and Other Bribes by Alfie Kohn (1999)

Measures, Targets, Rewards and Punishments When a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure

Measures Before you measure anything, you should carefully determine your objectives. What are you trying to achieve, and what is the purpose of making the measurements? Moreover, you should ask, are measurements the best way of achieving your goals? Why Measure? There are many reasons why you might measure something: To better understand its nature … Continue reading Measures, Targets, Rewards and Punishments When a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure

Punished by Rewards Loving what you do is a more powerful motivator than any goody

It is often suggested that offering rewards is necessary to motivate people, particularly when it comes to sharing their knowledge. However, this strategy is ultimately ineffective and potentially harmful in the long run. In his book Punished by Rewards, Alfie Kohn shows that while manipulating people with incentives may seem to work in the short … Continue reading Punished by Rewards Loving what you do is a more powerful motivator than any goody