Comments on: Unexpected rewards are better than expected rewards

By: TGM

TGM — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 01:34:21 +0000

The only problem with the unexpected reward is that some people that come back to do more may then expect a reward, and you’ve come back round…?
Be interesting to see a follow up on this.

By: stormy

stormy — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:52:54 +0000

Xav,
I agree that all the studies don’t translate 100% to other groups and cultures. They just give us insight into what might be and we have to figure out if that’s really true or not.
It’s definitely worth thinking about though.

By: Benjamin Otte

Benjamin Otte — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 08:06:37 +0000

I think this is why being invited to hackfests is highly motivational, in particular for student developers. They are invited to go to a foreign country just because they hacked on awesome stuff. And noone even asks anything from them in return. But if they want to, they can meet lots of people they already know and admire from the project. What’s not to like?

By: Xav

Xav — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 06:22:58 +0000

Hi Stormy,
what you say is true, *if* you assume opensource devs have the same motivation or value system as american kids. While it may be true for some, I highly doubt grown-ups from several cultures support the comparison.

By: stormy

stormy — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 21:08:02 +0000

There was one planned drawing event where everyone drew and got rewards or not. Then they just watched how much the kids drew on their own over the next few days.

By: stormy

stormy — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 21:07:14 +0000

There are other advantages to rewards other than motivating the developer. Like letting everyone else know about the work that was done.

By: antimonio

antimonio — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:49:09 +0000

I have a question, how can the no-reward ones draw less than the surprising-reward? I mean, you would need to let them draw *after* they are given the surprise reward, right? So, were there 2 phases of drawing?

By: Simon

Simon — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:48:38 +0000

I’d agree with that. Working for an expected reward makes it a job, and while there’s nothing wrong with that, it’s just that much more satisfying when a reward comes unexpectedly from someone appreciating what you’ve done.

By: Pavel

Pavel — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:23:08 +0000

the advantage over “no reward” is insignificant. so why bother?