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Punished by Rewards

The Trouble with Gold Stars, Incentive Plans, A's, Praise, and Other Bribes

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Punished by Rewards

Written by: Alfie Kohn
Narrated by: Alfie Kohn
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About this listen

The basic strategy we use for raising children, teaching students, and managing workers can be summarized in six words: Do this and you'll get that. We dangle goodies (from candy bars to sales commissions) in front of people in much the same way we train the family pet.

Drawing on a wealth of psychological research, Alfie Kohn points the way to a more successful strategy based on working with people instead of doing things to them. "Do rewards motivate people?" asks Kohn. "Yes. They motivate people to get rewards." Seasoned with humor and familiar examples, Punished by Rewards presents an argument unsettling to hear but impossible to dismiss.

©1993 Alfie Kohn (P)2017 Tantor Parenting & Families Personal Development Personal Success Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Relationships Witty Motivation

What the critics say

"A clear, convincing demonstration of the shortcomings of pop-behaviorism, written with style, humor, and authority." ( Kirkus)
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If this was required reading for parents and teachers we would have a saner world. The author did such a good job validating the dignity of the human spirit and every individual’s right to decent and respectful communication intended to understand what a child is experiencing while navigating their way through life. In addition to all the corporate opportunities to apply this information this is truly a brilliant book that will uplevel anyone who has the humility to read and apply it.

Wish I read this before parenting.

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Interesting topic and I am sure it has some merit, but I do not buy into its message 100%. It feels flawed in its principal concept. It takes it too far and provides no guidance or solutions. That said, I do see how it can be applied and that rewards in excess can be detrimental.

Alright but not sure I buy in 100%

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This book argues, very convincingly, but at great length, that extrinsic motivation is destructive. The instruction given is: remove and repudiate extrinsic motivation. If you are looking for guidance or actionable steps to instil intrinsic motivation in yourself or others, this is not the book. If you already believe generally that extrinsic motivation is counter productive, this is not the book.

If you want to understand if, when, and how extrinsic motivation is harmful, this is the book. But it won't help you know what to do.

Convincing, but not helpful

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