Punished by Rewards, A. Kohn

[Kevin Mader]

Punished By Rewards: the trouble with incentive plans, gold stars, ‘A’s, praise and other bribes, by Alfie Kohn

Alfie Kohn presents to the reader an alternative to pop behaviorism popularized by B.F. Skinner. He conclusively demonstrates that our societal dependency on “carrots and sticks” to control behavior actually work to our detriment. Kohn diffuses our traditionally held beliefs in the workplace, in our schools, and in our homes. I place this book in my personal top 5. This book is targeted at all audiences but I recommend this as an excellent contribution to individual understanding and development in human psychology. All leaders, managers, and supervisors should read this book.

[Gert Sorensen]

Originally Posted by Kevin Mader

Punished By Rewards: the trouble with incentive plans, gold stars, ‘A’s, praise and other bribes, by Alfie Kohn

Alfie Kohn presents to the reader an alternative to pop behaviorism popularized by B.F. Skinner. He conclusively demonstrates that our societal dependency on “carrots and sticks” to control behavior actually work to our detriment. Kohn diffuses our traditionally held beliefs in the workplace, in our schools, and in our homes. I place this book in my personal top 5. This book is targeted at all audiences but I recommend this as an excellent contribution to individual understanding and development in human psychology. All leaders, managers, and supervisors should read this book.

I have just finished reading "The Homework Myth" by Alfie Kohn. After reading it I have more or less reached the conclusion that it should be obligatory reading for every parent, teacher and politician. He is absolutely right, and boy it is an incredible feeling to have something as established as homework challenged in a constructive and intelligent way. Read it, read it, read it!!!!

[Wes Bucey]

Originally Posted by Kevin Mader

Punished By Rewards: the trouble with incentive plans, gold stars, ‘A’s, praise and other bribes, by Alfie Kohn

Alfie Kohn presents to the reader an alternative to pop behaviorism popularized by B.F. Skinner. He conclusively demonstrates that our societal dependency on “carrots and sticks” to control behavior actually work to our detriment. Kohn diffuses our traditionally held beliefs in the workplace, in our schools, and in our homes. I place this book in my personal top 5. This book is targeted at all audiences but I recommend this as an excellent contribution to individual understanding and development in human psychology. All leaders, managers, and supervisors should read this book.

Yep. Dr. Deming was preaching against the carrots and sticks system more than 40 years ago! In my own small way, I've been trying to carry the flag. Nice to see I'm not alone.

[Jennifer Kirley]

Originally Posted by Gert Sorensen

I have just finished reading "The Homework Myth" by Alfie Kohn. After reading it I have more or less reached the conclusion that it should be obligatory reading for every parent, teacher and politician. He is absolutely right, and boy it is an incredible feeling to have something as established as homework challenged in a constructive and intelligent way. Read it, read it, read it!!!!

I'm sure my son would agree. And I can't disagree, based on my time in the schools.

What I'm left with is knowing he'll be on the five-year plan if he doesn't start turning in his homework. Summer school, anyone?

[Jim Wynne]

Originally Posted by Kevin Mader

Punished By Rewards: the trouble with incentive plans, gold stars, ‘A’s, praise and other bribes, by Alfie Kohn

Alfie Kohn presents to the reader an alternative to pop behaviorism popularized by B.F. Skinner.

I just bought a used copy of this book from Amazon for $1.16 (!) and will report back after I've read it.

Just as an aside, I think that the characterization of Skinner's work as "pop behaviorism" is unwarranted; what foolish people did with Skinner's research should not be conflated with the research itself, which is considered groundbreaking in the study of human behavior.

[Gert Sorensen]

Well, I sort of got into Kohn after reading the Homework Myth, so I decided to try out another one of his books: Unconditional Parenting. Ouch, that is a challenging book, it really did move my perception of parenting. The things he describes that parents do to kids when parenting, and the effect it has.... That is a trail of thought every parent ought to read, and contemplate.

All I can say right now is: Read it, read it, read it!!

I'm moving on to The Schools Our Children Deserve. Can't wait to see what he has to say about that

[Claes Gefvenberg]

Good to see you again, Kevin

Originally Posted by Kevin Mader

I place this book in my personal top 5.

I'll have to get it then. It has eluded me so far.

/Claes