Punished by Rewards

by Alfie Kohn

Houghton Mifflin · 1993

In Punished by Rewards, Alfie Kohn synthesizes research from hundreds of studies to challenge the pervasive use of incentives in schools and homes. His conclusion is counterintuitive but well-supported: extrinsic rewards undermine intrinsic motivation. This book changed how a generation of educators and parents think about motivation, learning, and the purpose of education.