‘People who are rewarded for making correct decisions learn quickly. While the “carrot” approach may produce favourable results, little is understood about how rewards facilitate the learning process.

Now, in a paper recently published in the online open-access journal PLoS Biology, a team headed by Dr. Burkhard Pleger of the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, and the University College London have demonstrated that the “reward effect” not only supports the improvement of higher cognitive abilities, but also how brain function in the cortex can be enhanced. Intriguingly, they see that the reward effect can be strengthened using dopaminergic compounds. Targeted manipulation of dopamine levels, thereby enhancing the “teaching signal” in the brain, could open up new possibilities in the treatment of patients, for example, after a stroke.’

Carrot approach may be more effective than old school stick approach with regards to learning new material. Findings seem to support positive approach to new learning.

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[1] http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090727203624.htm

Cheers,

John Schinnerer, Ph.D.

[2] Guide To Self, Inc.