Why the way you praise someone can either motivate them or hold them back
In short: Praise is more than just a compliment; it is a powerful psychological tool that shapes behavior, motivation, and self-perception. Whether you focus on a person's inherent traits or their specific process can determine if they persist through failure or crumble under the pressure of your expectations.
Praise functions as a form of social reinforcement, rooted in B.F. Skinner’s model of operant conditioning. When delivered contingently and sincerely, it can effectively promote positive behavior in classrooms and workplaces. However, the psychological impact of praise is nuanced. Researchers distinguish between 'person praise,' which targets general abilities or traits, and 'process praise,' which focuses on effort or strategy. While person praise may provide a short-term boost, studies by Kamins and Dweck suggest it can lead to 'helpless' responses after failure, as individuals may attribute setbacks to a lack of stable ability rather than a need for more effort.
The effectiveness of praise is also moderated by its informational versus controlling nature. According to cognitive evaluation theory, informational praise—which provides feedback on competence—can enhance intrinsic motivation by fostering a sense of internal control. Conversely, controlling praise can undermine motivation by making the recipient feel externally managed. This dynamic is further complicated by social comparison. While comparing someone favorably to others can sometimes boost performance, it may also teach individuals to rely on external benchmarks, potentially leading to maladaptive coping when they are eventually outperformed.
Contextual factors like age, gender, and culture play significant roles in how praise is received. For instance, older children are more sensitive to the distinction between process and person praise than preschoolers, who may interpret both types more literally. Gender differences also emerge; some research suggests girls may be more susceptible to the negative effects of person-oriented praise or feedback that limits autonomy. Furthermore, cultural background acts as a 'blind spot' in much of the literature. In interdependent cultures like China and Japan, praise is used less frequently than in Western, independent cultures, as it may be perceived as potentially harmful to character development or social harmony.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Praise
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/ideas-praise.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Psychology · More in Ideas & Philosophy · Latest · A–Z · All topics
