Reading+and+Reflection

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Video Review Mindy Zink September 29, 2010 Call # EDUC699 **Bibliography article cited** : Title: Dan Pink on the Surprising Science of Motivation Link: [|__http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/dan_pink_on_motivation.html__] Date: July 2009

**Summary of the Video:** I watched Dan Pink’s video on motivation. He used the example of the “candle problem,” in which there is a box of thumbtacks, a candle, and some matches. The job is to attach the candle to the wall so the wax does not drip onto the table. The correct solution is to use the box (of thumbtacks) as a platform for the candle. There was an experiment done with one group of participants to earn rewards for solving the problem and a group of participants that was told they were just being timed for norms. The group working for a reward took three and a half minutes longer than the other group. Pink’s thought is that when you add the incentive, it inhibits creativity (a 21st century skill). There’s a difference between what science knows and what business knows. Rewards narrow our focus during an activity. It restricts the possibilities of creativity. Right brain abilities are becoming needed more and more in business. Cognitive tasks and rewards do not work together. In fact, a job that requires even slightly more cognitive ability and offered a large reward led to a worse performance. Pink also discusses three key concepts to help promote intrinsic motivation in business: Autonomy, Mastery, and Purpose. Autonomy refers to self-direction, while mastery refers to the desire to get better. Purpose is a yearning to do what we do for the service of something larger than ourselves. He then gave some examples of how things created through fun and interest turn out to be much better than something you are paid to create.

**Reaction/Reflection of the Video:**  I thought this video was very interested. I can see where he is coming from with the idea that rewards don’t work. One example I can think of is just doing a reading for a class versus reading for enjoyment. My mind is much more engaged when I want to be reading the material. I also see a large decrease in the amount of intrinsic motivation, which I truly believe leads to a success in life. More and more people work just for rewards, but apparently the rewards are not even benefiting the creation process. When someone is offered a reward, I think they focus on completing the task at hand at the bare minimum, and not expanding ideas beyond what is expected. Business and science need to get on the same page so that our country can start producing more creative inventions and discoveries.