Idea #112 - Treats Work on Humans Too

As little children we get toffees when we finish our homework, and as working adults we are rewarded with a pay raise for being efficient employees. The fundamentals of what drives us to work harder stay the same, even when the circumstances do not.

Today we watched the episode of The Office in which Andy, an underperforming employee is made in-charge in the absence of their manager. Through positive reinforcement alone, he doubles their sales in a single day!

Encouragement and rewards are just as critical in improving the quality of life of adults as they are in moulding a child’s values. Every research ever performed, on both animals as well as humans, showed that positive reinforcement works substantially faster and better than punishment.

In the words of Robert California, “there is something about an underdog that really inspires the unexceptional.” This really goes on to say how a little bit of motivation and affirmation can bring out the best in us.

Written and Curated by Arya Kastwar