Reinforcement (Reward) Theory

B.F. Skinner (Behaviorist) - Theory of motivation

Main idea -  Positively reinforced behaviors will be repeated while the negatively reinforced behaviors is less likely to be repeated.


Positive reinforcement effectively contributes to the behavioral changes and the altered behaviors

Many forms of reinforcements (or rewards) seem to endanger human's behaviors and long term intrinsic motivation

Possible forms of reward

Positive feedback (Verbal Rewards) - If feedback is regarded as increasing competence, the feedback improves intrinsic motivation


Tangible rewards e.g. Materials , Rewards like money and prizes - Mostly undermine intrinsic motivation


Engagement Contingent Rewards e.g. Wages - Employee who get exact paid for working on their job but not for their increasing performance


Completion Contingent Rewards  e.g. Employee Excellence Reward  - undermining effect to intrinsic motivation


Performance Contingent Rewards e.g. Fair appraisal system focusing on measuring and giving feedbacks for a person to improve - Can enhance intrinsic motivation


In brief, verbal rewards in general contribute to the increase in intrinsic motivation while other types of rewards have a great tendency to jeopardize intrinsic motivation with the exception of unexpected rewards, task-noncontingent rewards and performance contingent rewards