Which of the following practices for administering incentives does the textbook author DISCOURAGE?
Which of the following practices for administering incentives does the textbook author DISCOURAGE?
Options:
(a) Give frequent brief quizzes rather than infrequent long tests
(b) Make assignments specific rather than general
(c) Give extra recess time as a reward for good behavior
(d) Give rewards only for performance, not for effort
✅ Correct Option: (d) Give rewards only for performance, not for effort
Explanation (200+ words):
Educational psychology strongly emphasizes the importance of reinforcing effort rather than only rewarding performance. When rewards are given exclusively for high performance, students who struggle may feel discouraged and develop a fear of failure. This can reduce motivation, persistence, and willingness to take on challenging tasks. The textbook author discourages rewarding only performance because it promotes a fixed mindset, where students believe ability is static. In contrast, rewarding effort encourages a growth mindset, emphasizing improvement, persistence, and learning from mistakes. Research shows that effort-based reinforcement helps students develop resilience and long-term motivation. Frequent quizzes, specific assignments, and appropriate behavioral rewards (like extra recess) are generally encouraged because they support learning, clarity, and positive classroom behavior. However, ignoring effort and focusing solely on outcomes undermines motivation, especially for low- and average-achieving students. Thus, option (d) is discouraged by educational research and theory.
10 Related PPSC Facts:
Effort-based rewards promote growth mindset. Performance-only rewards discourage weak students. Motivation improves with effort recognition. Growth mindset theory by Carol Dweck. Frequent assessment supports learning. Specific tasks improve clarity. Behavioral rewards can be effective. Fear of failure reduces learning. Teachers should value progress. Motivation theory-based practice.