Crime Quote by Thomas Gilovich
““Regression effects, in other words, serve to “punish the administration of reward, and to reward the administration of punishment.”21””
About This Quote
Source Book: “The Psychology of Judgment and Decision Making” (2022), Chapter 7
Reward systems can paradoxically punish reward‑giving behavior while rewarding punishment‑administering behavior.
In simple terms: Reward systems can backfire.
Key Takeaway
Design incentives that truly reinforce desired actions.
Themes
behavioral economics
incentive design
psychology
Mood
critical
inquisitive
Type
academic
practical
When to use this quote
- workplace bonuses
- education grading
- policy incentives
- marketing campaigns
Key Concepts
reward paradox
motivation theory
Questions to Reflect On
- What incentives have failed in your experience?
- How can we test incentive effectiveness?
A Different Perspective
Complex incentives may produce unintended outcomes.
