The Risks of Using Rewards
by
David C. Mathis, Ed.D.

We live in a society that hungers for rewards.  Reward systems are in virtually every aspect of our lives: awards banquets, honor rolls, employment bonuses, incentives, plaques, prizes, etc.  It is unrealistic to believe that the use of rewards will ever discontinue or that rewards are necessarily detrimental.  However, I believe that we need caution in the use of rewards because of some of the risks that come from over-using a rewards system.  

First, the promise of rewards can be a lazy effort to encourage.  For example, if we want our children to make good use of their educational opportunities, we will want to help motivate them.  A lazy effort to motivate would be to give a monetary reward for good grades on their report card.  That may work effectively for some but it also includes risks.  One of the primary risks is that the parent becomes uninvolved due to depending on the monetary reward to motivate the child.  A better way to motivate would be to show frequent interest by looking at completed work, assisting with or helping with homework, showing interest in newly learned material that the child shares and praising the child's effort.  Children, despite how it appears at times, want our praise and attention.  That can be reward enough.

Second, emphasis on rewards takes away from the activity itself.  The reward for studying is not necessarily a good grade, much less earning money, it is the value of learning and growing.  Studying can itself become rewarding.  Again, some children may need extra incentives but using external rewards carries its risks.  Children need to study to learn, not to earn money.
Third, emphasis on rewarding certain outcomes takes away emphasis on one's effort. Most children will not hit a home run during the season much less at each game.  If too much emphasis is placed on rewarding only certain outcomes, for example, a home run, then anything less than that becomes unimportant.  In reality, the effort is more important than the outcome.  If that child has practiced, shown effort and grown because of his or her efforts, that is where the real reward lies.
We have responsibilities as parents to help our children grow and develop areas of competence where they can see their success. That success is important in feeling good about themselves.  We must be careful in how we use rewards to encourage success.  Let's encourage effort and growth more by our attention and praise than by promises of rewards.