Punished by Rewards: 8 key ideas
The core ideas of Punished by Rewards, each in under a minute, written in our own words. Want the full depth? Get the book.
- IDEA 1 OF 8
Rewards can undermine motivation
Kohn argues that rewards, such as stickers, grades, praise and bonuses, often reduce people's interest in what they are doing.
Over time, he says, people come to care more about the reward than the task.
- IDEA 2 OF 8
Behaviourism shaped rewards
Kohn traces the use of rewards to behaviourism, associated with B.
F. Skinner. He argues this approach treats people like trained animals. In his view, this idea has been applied in schools and workplaces for decades without much questioning.
- IDEA 3 OF 8
Interest declines
Kohn cites studies showing that people rewarded for an activity often lose interest once the reward stops.
In his account, rewards can turn an activity into a chore done for the prize, and the original pleasure fades away.
- IDEA 4 OF 8
Praise works as a reward
Kohn argues that praise can function like a reward and create dependence on approval.
In his account, a child who is often told good job may start to look for the next approval rather than enjoy the activity itself.
- IDEA 5 OF 8
Grades distort learning
Kohn argues that grades encourage students to focus on scores rather than understanding.
In his account, when the mark becomes the goal, students may choose easy tasks and avoid risks. Curiosity can then take second place.
- IDEA 6 OF 8
Incentive pay has limits
Kohn argues that performance bonuses at work often fail to improve quality and can damage teamwork.
In his account, a bonus can push people to chase the measured target and ignore what is harder to count.
- IDEA 7 OF 8
Three Cs motivate
Kohn proposes collaboration, meaningful content and choice as better ways to motivate people.
In his view, people work best when they cooperate, when the task has real meaning, and when they have a say in what they do.
- IDEA 8 OF 8
Inner motivation matters
Kohn argues that people do their best work when they find the task interesting for its own sake.
In his account, such inner interest tends to produce more creative and lasting effort than any outside payment.
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