Re:Young children would rather explore than get rewards
by dpwm on Thursday August 13, 2020 @11:07AM
(#24144087)
I'm currently reading Punished by Rewards. So far I would say that Punished by Rewards is broadly consistent with how you describe Drive.
Alfie Kohn acknowledges that where the work is low skill, very dull, requires little collaboration, rewards generally work for as long as the rewards continue.
But employee of the month? Stack ranking? Basically they're just going to destroy any intrinsic motivation, and lead to teams where people are reluctant to collaborate.
Re:Young children would rather explore than get rewards
by andrei_says_ on Thursday August 13, 2020 @12:39PM
(#24145269)
They are consistent... controlling people with punishment and rewards works, as long as the incentive is present, at the cost of destroying intrinsic motivation. It also changes the relationship, positioning the “manager” as a prison guard of sorts and tying them to that role.
It teaches its subjects to do the thing but only if they get the reward and never otherwise. To comply, but only when watched, and to act in secret when fulfilling their true needs.
His book focuses on parenting and one can see how punishment and rewards impact this most important relationship and negatively impact intrinsic motivation in exchange for the illusion of control.
> Human beings are not designed to be trained like rats and birds, regardless of what many believe.
I'd just want to add that according to Drive, training humans like rats and birds work great... If blind obedience, conformity, and minimal quality is something you're looking for -- which many factory line type managers wanted, for a very long time (and in many cases probably still do, sadly.)
Damnit, if Punished by Rewards contradicts this, I have to read it now, don't I?