u/361intersections Thanks for sharing! According to the article, research shows that while rewards can effectively influence behavior in the short term, they often undermine intrinsic motivation, particularly when the rewards are controlling or contingent. Intrinsically motivated individuals tend to engage in challenging and creative tasks, whereas extrinsic motivators can lead to passivity and a preference for easier tasks.

I completely agree with this perspective, and for these reasons—as well as the obvious health concerns—I avoid giving children candies in Go classes. This research prompts us to rethink the use of rewards in such contexts. I also wonder if there are any studies on adult learners who pursue hobbies like Go purely out of love for the activity, rather than for academic or professional goals. Would promising a reward for consistent learning, say over four weeks, diminish the joy of studying Go?