From 2001

I wrote:

On 8 Aug 01, at 16:56, Julian  wrote:

>
> Hello
>
> Is anyone familiar with Alfie Kohn’s book ‘Punished by Rewards’ or his
> general thesis that “extrinsic motivators in the workplace are not only
> ineffective but often positively counterproductive”. Generally speaking
> the idea is if you offer incentives this will demotivate and stifle
> creativity. There are other authors who agree with Kohnyet the
> prevailing thought appears to be swinging away from such a view.

Julian, here’s the deal. Kohn is a writer, and has no training in research
or the interpretation of research. He over-extends his conclusions beyond
the data. I took the liberty of looking at some of the studies he cited to
support his contention. Several I looked at could actually be interpreted
as disproving some of his contentions. Others simple weren’t relevant or
were badly designed.

That’s not to say that there are not significant truths in what he puts
forth. For example, much of the results of reward depend on the perception
of the person receiving the reward. If the person perceives it as
manipulative, then it works as a de-motivating process.

The issue of stifling creativity may or may not be accurate (in other
words there is some evidence in the lab).

>
> My problem with much of what I’ve read is the opinions are often based
> on studies of group A solving a puzzle and receiving $1 note against
> group B who received nothing or something similar in a very controlled
> laboratory setting.

Yes. Exactly. And Alfie and the people doing the research over-
extended their conclusions from what is a completely artificial situation.

My personal opinion on his work on rewards is that he started out with a
conclusion and filled in the evidence, (a common thing), or to be cynical,
he saw an opportunity to make a splash, with the added effect of making
money (nothing wrong with that either – it’s the publishing game).
However, his work is not terribly rigorous academically. It’s basically a
pop psych. book.

There are some rebuttals in articles on the web if you do a search.