In fact, I think that our society expects schools to get…
“In fact, I think that our society expects schools to get students to the point where they do things only for outside rewards. People who perform tasks for their internal reasons are hard to control. Now, I don't think teachers get up in the morning and say to themselves, 'I', going to go to school today and take away all those young people's internal motivations' ...but that's exactly what often happens.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Society often designs schools to reward external outcomes, diminishing intrinsic motivation, which makes students easier to control but less self‑driven.
In simple terms: Schools focus on external rewards, killing inner drive.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate intrinsic motivation in learning.
Themes
education
motivation
control
intrinsic vs extrinsic
student autonomy
Mood
reflective
concerned
Type
analytical
critical
When to use this quote
- Classroom design
- curriculum planning
- teacher training
- student counseling
Key Concepts
Self‑determination theory
behavioral economics
psychological control
Questions to Reflect On
- How can teachers foster internal motivation?
- What are the risks of over‑reliance on grades?
A Different Perspective
External rewards can boost short‑term performance but may undermine long‑term engagement.