Punishments and rewards hinder intrinsic motivation in students from "summary" of The Schools Our Children Deserve by Alfie Kohn
When students are offered rewards for engaging in certain behaviors or threatened with punishments for failing to do so, they may comply with the expectations in order to receive the reward or avoid the punishment. However, this compliance often comes at a cost. It can undermine students' intrinsic motivation, their desire to engage in an activity for its own sake. Intrinsic motivation is characterized by a genuine interest and enjoyment in an activity, a desire to learn and explore simply because it is inherently satisfying. When students are focused on obtaining a reward or avoiding a punishment, their attention shifts away from the task itself and towards the external incentive. As a result, they are less likely to fully engage with the material or to develop a deep understanding of the subject matter. Furthermore, rewards and punishments can create a conditional environment in which students are taught to base their behavior on external factors rather than internal values. This can lead to a reliance on extrinsic motivators and a decreased sense of autonomy and self-regulation. Students may begin to view learning as a means to an end, rather than as a valuable and rewarding pursuit in its own right. In contrast, when students are intrinsically motivated, they are more likely to demonstrate creativity, curiosity, and persistence in their learning. They are driven by a genuine interest in the material and a desire to master it for its own sake. This intrinsic motivation can lead to deeper learning, greater engagement, and a more enduring love of learning. In order to foster intrinsic motivation in students, educators should focus on creating a supportive and engaging learning environment. This includes providing opportunities for choice, autonomy, and collaboration, as well as offering meaningful and challenging tasks that allow students to explore their interests and passions. By nurturing intrinsic motivation, educators can help students develop a lifelong love of learning and a genuine desire to succeed.
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