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Punished by Rewards
Alfie Kohn’s *Punished by Rewards* dismantles the deeply ingrained American belief that rewards—from office bonuses and classroom stickers to parental praise—are reliable tools for motivating behavior. Rooted in B.F. Skinner’s behaviorist theory, which frames humans as controllable beings driven by external reinforcement, this pervasive "do this, get that" logic permeates schools, workplaces, and homes. Kohn exposes its hidden costs: while rewards may yield short-term compliance, they erode intrinsic motivation, stifle creativity, damage collaborative relationships, and reduce the quality of work or learning. Drawing on decades of psychological research and real-world examples—from corporate performance pay schemes to classroom token economies—he argues that rewards are fundamentally manipulative, treating people as passive objects rather than autonomous individuals. Kohn doesn’t just critique the status quo; he offers actionable alternatives: fostering autonomy, creating meaningful work and learning experiences, prioritizing collaboration over competition, and shifting focus from external incentives to internal joy and purpose. This book challenges readers to rethink how we motivate others and ourselves, advocating for a more humane, effective approach that honors human dignity and inherent curiosity.
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