Contrary to popular belief, external rewards (such as money or compliments) do not undermine our deep-seated motivation to engage in an activity, and may even strengthen it, unless they are imposed for a task that one is refusing to perform at that moment.

noli's read

This assertion explores an engaging debate in behavioral psychology, but it simplifies a very nuanced scientific reality. On one hand, a landmark meta-analysis by Deci, Koestner, and Ryan (1999) confirms that tangible, expected rewards (such as money or gifts) can indeed erode the natural pleasure of performing an activity that was initially enjoyed. Conversely, other major meta-analyses, such as that by Cameron and Pierce (1994), demonstrate that verbal rewards (compliments) or those linked to performance quality effectively stimulate internal motivation. However, the nuance provided regarding undesirable tasks is scientifically inaccurate: research shows that the loss of interest only occurs for activities that were already liked, whereas rewards for chores, conversely, help one to engage in them without any negative effect. In short, the impact of rewards is not neutral; it depends on their form (tangible or verbal) and our initial attraction to the task.

the sources

No named source held this one up — that absence is part of the verdict.