Email: Teen doesn’t perform as expected in maths, despite rewards? (US)
Read an article on social psychology re: motivation. Rewarding action doesn’t necessarily boost motivation to perform that same action again. In fact, quite the opposite. Overtly rewarding an action tends to decrease motivation to perform.
Reward for specific behaviours provides extrinsic motivation. Extrinsic motivation means we have to do something similar to further a goal. E.g. have to be good at Maths to make Mom happy? Intrinsic motivation is doing something for it’s own sake. Like while playing a guitar we don’t care what external benefits come of playing. Just play for innate curiosity, satisfaction, joy.
Distinction between these two kinds of motivations is important. We try to toggle between extrinsic, intrinsic motivations. Switches happen in a moment. Sometimes, when we do something new, there’s an extrinsic motivation. I might start playing tennis to share hobby with teen (extrinsic). At some point, may actually start enjoying the game (intrinsic).
External rewards for behaviours can only go so far, unsustainable. If extrinsic motivation gets replaced by intrinsic motivation, experiences feel enthusiastically, energetically, authentically different. Recommend encouragement, support to passionately pursue one’s own dreams, ambitions, aptitudes.
Mom, let’s focus on literature rather than maths! Good luck…