Psychology

Extrinsic Incentives / Rewards: Short-Term Fix That Can Undermine Long-Term Motivation

Document Type

Book Chapter

Abstract

Parents, teachers, coaches, physicians, and others often try to motivate others to act. Rewards, punishments, and other contingencies can get people to behave in particular ways, but that motivated action is often short-lived because these strategies do not facilitate individuals acting from their own interests or sense of value and goals. In contrast, setting up a motivationally facilitative environment means creating conditions in which individuals can satisfy their needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Teachers, parents, and others in authority can learn to provide autonomy support, structure, and involvement to help people satisfy these needs. Numerous interventions show how this may be done effectively and productively.

Publication Title

Motivation Science: Controversies and Insights

Publication Date

1-19-2023

First Page

154

Last Page

158

ISBN

978-019766235-9

DOI

10.1093/oso/9780197662359.003.0026

Keywords

autonomous motivation, autonomy support, competition, extrinsic motivation, good player award, incentive, pay-for-performance, reward, self-determination theory, undermining effect

Share

COinS