Punished by Rewards
The Trouble with Gold Stars, Incentive Plans, A's, Praise, and Other Bribes
📘 About This Book
Kohn argues against the practice of offering people rewards in order to persuade them to get good grades, do good work, or behave in a certain manner, presenting evidence that shows the practice often has a negative effect, and discusses alternative methods of influencing behavior.
📖 Summary
Published in 1993, Alfie Kohn's Punished by Rewards challenges one of the most deeply ingrained assumptions of modern society: that the best way to motivate people—whether children, students, or employees—is by offering them external incentives such as grades, money, praise, or prizes. Kohn argues that this pervasive reliance on behaviorist psychology is fundamentally flawed. Instead of producing better work, deeper learning, or lasting behavioral change, rewards often lead to the exact opposite of what parents, educators, and managers intend. The core premise of the book rests on the distinction between extrinsic motivation, which is driven by the desire for a reward or the avoidance of punishment, and intrinsic motivation, which arises from a genuine interest in and enjoyment of an activity for its own sake. Kohn presents extensive psychological evidence demonstrating that when we dangle carrots in front of people, we inadvertently crush their intrinsic drive. When individuals focus on getting the reward, the task itself becomes merely a chore to be endured as quickly as possible. This phenomenon manifests in classrooms where students chase letter grades rather than true understanding, in workplaces where employees optimize for bonuses rather than quality collaboration, and in homes where children obey purely for stickers or allowances. The author explains that rewards fail for several key reasons. First, they punish because they are inherently controlling; people naturally resist being manipulated, which breeds resentment and resistance. Second, rewards rupture relationships by pitting individuals against one another in a race for limited prizes or top grades. Third, incentives discourage risk-taking because people naturally choose the easiest path to secure the reward rather than tackling difficult, creative challenges. Fourth, rewards disrupt intrinsic interest, ensuring that once the incentive is removed, the desired behavior quickly stops. Rather than leaving readers without options, Kohn dedicates significant attention to discussing alternative methods of influencing behavior and fostering engagement. He advocates for the three C's approach: collaboration, content, and choice. By involving people in decisions that affect them, making tasks inherently meaningful and engaging, and offering genuine autonomy, leaders and educators can cultivate environments where individuals thrive naturally. Ultimately, Punished by Rewards serves as a radical rethinking of human motivation, urging a shift away from manipulation and toward practices that respect human autonomy and foster authentic passion.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Challenges conventional wisdom with compelling psychological evidence
Provides thoughtful and practical alternatives to behaviorist methods
Encourages healthier, more respectful relationships in homes, schools, and workplaces
Provokes deep reflection on how we motivate children and employees
⚠️ Cons
Some readers may find the arguments against traditional grading and compensation systems overly idealistic
Can feel repetitive in its critique of behaviorism
✍️ About the Author
❓ FAQ
What is the main argument of Punished by Rewards? +
Kohn argues that offering rewards to influence behavior or improve performance actually has a negative effect and destroys intrinsic motivation.
When was Punished by Rewards published? +
The book was published in 1993 by author Alfie Kohn.
What is the difference between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation? +
Extrinsic motivation is driven by external rewards or punishments, while intrinsic motivation comes from a genuine internal enjoyment of the task.
Does the author offer alternatives to using rewards? +
Yes, Kohn discusses alternative methods of influencing behavior that focus on collaboration, choice, and meaningful content.
What areas of life does this book apply to? +
The book applies broadly to parenting, education, and workplace management where behaviorist incentive systems are commonly used.
