Punished by Rewards
by Alfie Kohn
Kohn's broader case, with extensive research, that incentives, gold stars, bonuses, grades, praise, undermine intrinsic motivation, interest and quality in children and adults. The research is real and the conclusion overstated in places; the book is essential for anyone who uses incentives to motivate anyone.
Read it if…
you manage, teach or parent with incentives and want to understand their costs.
Skip it if…
you want a balanced review; Kohn is an advocate.
Three things you will actually use
- Rewards buy compliance and kill interest.
- Intrinsic motivation needs autonomy, competence, relatedness.
- Praise less; notice more.
Do this first
Remove one reward system this week and replace it with a conversation about why the task matters.
Our verdict
Thorough and provocative.
Compare with other Parenting books
The Danish Way of Parenting
Jessica Joelle Alexander and Iben Dissing Sandahl · Parenting
Short, pleasant, useful.
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