There is a classic psychology experiment that seems to…
““There is a classic psychology experiment that seems to confirm Brewer's point. Children who enjoy drawing were given marker pens and allowed to go at it. Some were rewarded for drawing (they were given a certificate with a gold seal and a ribbon, and told ahead of time about this arrangement, whereas for others the issue of rewards was never raised. Weeks later, those who had been rewarded took less interest in drawing, and their drawings were judged to be lower in quality, whereas those who had not been rewarded continued to enjoy the activity and produced higher-quality drawings. The hypothesis is that the child begins to attribute his interest, which previously needed no justification, to the external reward, and this has the effect of reducing his intrinsic interest in it. That is, an external reward can affect one's interpretation of one's own motivation, an interpretation that comes to be self-fulfilling.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
External rewards can shift people’s perception of why they act, turning intrinsic motivation into extrinsic, which often lowers genuine interest and performance.
In simple terms: Rewards change how we view our own motives, reducing true interest.
Key Takeaway
Beware of using rewards for activities you want to love.
Themes
motivation
psychology
intrinsic vs extrinsic
behavior
Mood
reflective
cautious
Type
advisory
analytical
When to use this quote
- education
- workplace
- creative hobbies
- parenting
- team management
Key Concepts
self-determination theory
overjustification effect
cognitive dissonance
Questions to Reflect On
- How might you sustain intrinsic interest without external incentives?
- When are rewards actually helpful?
A Different Perspective
Rewards may undermine long‑term passion and quality if overused.