This episode explores why rewards alone rarely sustain behaviour change. Based on the original essay from Thinking About Behaviour, it unpacks the deeper dynamics of reinforcement—what it actually means, how it's often misunderstood in practice, and why behaviour change strategies grounded in simple incentives can miss the mark.
The podcast version was created with AI tools and curated by Elina Halonen to reflect the intent and tone of the original. It’s designed for those moments when you don’t have the bandwidth to read a long, detailed article—something you can listen to while doing other things, and come back to the full piece when you're ready to dive deeper.
Beyond rewards: Navigating the complexities of reinforcement in behaviour change
The common perception of rewards as purely positive incentives, such as a treat for a dog or a bonus for an employee, is an oversimplification of how behaviors are shaped and reinforced. This misunderstanding is particularly prevalent in discussions about habit formation and gamification, so I thought it was time to clarify some common misconceptions su…
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