Is the Tangible Reward Bad?

I think it is more desirable to complete task for the pleasure of accomplishment than to get the tangible reward or out of fear of a physical consequence. Intrinsically motivated people tend to finish their tasks even with no reward. For instance, volunteering to serve other people and going on a mission must be achieved by their intrinsic motivation not by reward or fear of consequence.

However, in some cases we could not be in denial of pursuing tangible reward. For example, I am not eligible to get any financial aid for school from USA government since I am an international student. The only way to help my tuition is getting academic scholarship from the school through a good GPA. As a matter of fact, I really study hard not only to satisfy my pleasure of learning or a feeling of accomplishment but also to obtain the tangible reward, scholarship in order to finance my studies by myself. How about the competitors for a gold medal in the Olympics? We know they should put up with hellish training every day and put desperate effort into being a gold medalist. So when they come true their dream which is winning a gold medal, it brought to him the unstinted praise from people who are watching them. We do not blame them about searching after a gold medal, rather we admire them about what they attain in spite of the hardship.

I suppose that children are more likely to work to receive some reward such as stickers, candy or prizes even though educators try to motivate them intrinsically. There is no question about tangible rewards can help these students develop reasons to apply themselves to completing something. I am not trying to disregard a negative voice in that children couldn't be taught the value of hard work or learning when they do a task to get a piece of candy. However, if you are more likely to use praise and positive feedback that is sincere from your heart, I believe the children get to know the satisfaction of accomplishing something is also important as well as getting prize.

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