The paradoxical effect of external rewards on internal drive
Core Idea: The more people are rewarded for doing something, the more likely they are to lose interest in the activity itself, shifting focus from the inherent value of the task to the external reward.
Key Elements
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Key Principle: External rewards can transform an intrinsically enjoyable activity into a means to an end, diminishing the pleasure derived from the activity itself.
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Educational Impact: When children are encouraged to focus on grades rather than learning, they tend to:
- Lose interest in the learning process
- Avoid challenging tasks
- Engage less in deep and critical thinking
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Psychological Mechanism: External rewards create a contingency that changes the perceived locus of control from internal to external motivation.
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Research Evidence: Studies show that rewards function as "Enemies of Exploration," particularly in educational contexts where grades can undermine genuine intellectual curiosity.
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Limitations of Reward Systems: The desire to do minimal work is not inherent laziness but often a response to reward-based systems that have diminished intrinsic interest.
Connections
- Related Concepts: Intrinsic Motivation (the internal drive undermined by rewards), Extrinsic Motivation (external motivators that can replace intrinsic drive)
- Broader Context: Motivation Theory (this concept represents a key principle within broader motivation research)
- Applications: Educational Approaches (relevant to how we structure learning environments), Parenting Without Rewards (application in child-rearing)
- Components: Overjustification Effect (the psychological mechanism behind this phenomenon)
References
- Kohn, A. "Unconditional Parenting," highlighting that rewards lead to loss of interest in activities.
- Research indicating that when rewards are the focus, students avoid challenges and think less deeply.
- Scholarly article referenced as "Enemies of Exploration" discussing the impact of rewards.
#motivation #parenting #education #psychology
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