external reward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "external reward" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a benefit or incentive that comes from outside an individual, often in the context of motivation or behavior. Example: "Many students are motivated by external rewards, such as grades or praise from teachers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

The actual mechanism by which they could work is almost certainly intrinsic; there is no obvious external reward offered by looking at a poster.

The Guardian

Extrinsic motivation represents that users are motivated by an external reward, e.g., virtual currency.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

We will consider synaptic plasticity in the context of reinforcement learning, where the somatic action potentials control the delivery of an external reward signal.

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience

"I was struck by the fact that in neuroscience motivation is assumed to be a single, unitary concept and just a function of external reward," says Murayama.

BBC

And games also happen to be one the most engaging ways to learn: while playing games, we spend tons of time learning how to their world and rules work with no external reward.

TechCrunch

For ZR, the synaptic plasticity response to the external reward signal is modulated exclusively by quantities which are local to the NMDA-spike initiation zone in which the synapse is situated.

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

And much of these shared endeavors, Mr. Shirky notes, are pursued for their own sake, not for external rewards.

The New York Times

It conceives of us as shrewd responders to carrots and sticks, hooked on a diet of incentives and external rewards.

The New York Times

To their ideas (model integrity, watch how you talk about grades, avoid external rewards), I would add: make a point of valuing achievements that cannot be cheated.

The New York Times

Dr. Edward Deci is the psychologist behind the original research that suggested that when external rewards are given, people lose interest in the activity.

The New York Times

As early as the 1960s, Edward Deci, then a psychology graduate student at Carnegie Mellon, showed that when external rewards are given, subjects "lose intrinsic interest for the activity".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "external rewards" when you want to specifically highlight incentives stemming from external sources, such as money, grades, or recognition, in contrast to internal drivers like enjoyment or personal satisfaction.

Common error

Avoid using "external rewards" in contexts where it could be perceived as bribery or unethical manipulation. Clearly frame the reward as a fair incentive rather than a coercive tool.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "external reward" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig indicates its use in various contexts, often describing incentives that drive behavior.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

44%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "external reward" is a common and grammatically sound term used to describe incentives originating from outside an individual, driving motivation and behavior. Ludwig AI identifies its frequent use in scientific and news media contexts. When using this term, it's important to distinguish it from intrinsic motivation and avoid connotations of unethical manipulation. Related phrases include "extrinsic incentive" and "tangible benefit". Be sure to frame these rewards ethically to avoid misinterpretations. In summary, Ludwig provides insight into the appropriate usage and context of "external reward", aiding clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extrinsic incentive

Replaces "reward" with "incentive", emphasizing the motivational aspect from an external source.

extrinsic benefit

Similar to "extrinsic incentive" but focuses on the advantageous aspect.

external motivator

Focuses on the motivational aspect, framing the reward as something that drives behavior.

extrinsic compensation

Emphasizes the type of compensation (extrinsic)

external reinforcement

Emphasizes the reward's role in reinforcing a particular behavior from the outside.

extrinsic advantage

Changes "reward" to "advantage", highlighting the edge gained from an external source.

tangible benefit

Highlights the concrete and measurable nature of the reward.

external prize

Uses "prize" instead of "reward", suggesting a more competitive or achievement-oriented context.

external inducement

Replaces "reward" with "inducement", highlighting the incentive that persuade or influence someone to do something.

outside compensation

Highlights the aspect of compensation received from an external entity.

FAQs

How does "external reward" differ from intrinsic motivation?

"External rewards" are incentives from outside oneself, like money or praise, while intrinsic motivation comes from internal satisfaction. One involves external factors, the other internal.

What are some examples of "external rewards" in education?

Examples include grades, stickers, awards, and praise from teachers. These are all "extrinsic incentives" designed to motivate students.

Is it always effective to use "external rewards" to motivate people?

Not always. Over-reliance on "external rewards" can sometimes decrease intrinsic motivation, as people may become less interested in the activity itself. Consider balancing "extrinsic incentives" with opportunities for intrinsic satisfaction.

What can I say instead of "external reward"?

You can use alternatives like "extrinsic benefit", "tangible benefit", or "outside compensation" depending on the context.