Final answer:
The approach of giving tangible rewards such as money to motivate students can negatively impact their intrinsic motivation to learn and engage deeply with the material. It is essential to find a balance in educational systems between the use of extrinsic and intrinsic motivators to foster genuine learning.
Step-by-step explanation:
Problems stemming from the use of concrete rewards such as money, which tend to have more negative effects on intrinsic motivation than intangible rewards like praise, are significant. If students expect a tangible reward, their intrinsic interest in the task is likely to decrease. This creates a dilemma in educational systems that use tangible rewards to increase adaptive behaviors, but risk diminishing students' built-in desire to learn. Moreover, unexpected extrinsic motivators can sustain intrinsic motivation, suggesting the importance of balancing both types of rewards effectively.
An approach to motivation that overemphasizes extrinsic rewards can lead to a decline in intrinsic motivation, which may especially impact those who are intrinsically motivated to learn. This can short-circuit their effort to understand material deeply since they may focus more on obtaining the reward rather than mastering the content. Utilizing critical thinking, one must consider the educational implications of this potential problem, as it may hinder genuine learning and personal growth in students.