Given Quote by B. F. Skinner
“Somehow people get the idea I think we should be given gumdrops whenever we do anything of value.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public lecture on behaviorism, 1950s
People expect automatic rewards for any effort, ignoring intrinsic motivation.
In simple terms: Rewards are expected for any value.
Key Takeaway
Encourage intrinsic motivation over external rewards.
Themes
motivation
behavior
rewards
expectations
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- education
- workplace
- parenting
- volunteerism
Key Concepts
behaviorism
reinforcement theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How do rewards affect lasting motivation?
- When is a reward appropriate?
A Different Perspective
External rewards can undermine long‑term engagement.
