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Description
Punished by Rewards: The Trouble with Gold Stars, Incentive Plans, A'S, Praise, and Other BribesAlfie Kohn's landmark challenge to carrot and stick psychology, featuring updated reflections and research in a major new afterword by the author Our basic strategy for raising children, teaching students, and managing workers can be summed up in six words: Do this and you'll get that. We dangle goodies (from candy bars to sales commissions) in front of people in the same way that we train the family pet. Since its publication in 1993, this
Alfie Kohn's landmark challenge to carrot-and-stick psychology, featuring updated reflections and research in a major new afterword by the author Our basic strategy for raising children, teaching students, and managing workers can be summed up in six words: Do this and you'll get that. We dangle goodies (from candy bars to sales commissions) in front of people in the same way that we train the family pet.Since its publication in 1993, this groundbreaking book has persuaded countless parents, teachers, and managers that attempts to manipulate people with incentives may seem to work in the short run, but they ultimately fail and even do lasting harm. Drawing from hundreds of studies, Kohn demonstrates that we actually do inferior work when we are enticed with money, grades, or other incentives--and are apt to lose interest in whatever we were bribed to do.
Promising goodies to children for good behavior, meanwhile, can never produce anything more than temporary obedience. Even praise can become a verbal bribe that gets kids hooked on our approval.
Rewards and punishments are two sides of the same coin--and the coin doesn't buy much. What is needed, Kohn explains, is an alternative to both ways of controlling people. Hence, he offers practical strategies for parents, teachers, and managers to replace carrots and sticks. Seasoned with humor and familiar examples, Punished by Rewards presents an argument that is unsettling to hear but impossible to dismiss.
Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Mariner Books
Published: 08/07/2018
ISBN: 9781328450524
Pages: 480
Weight: 1.05lbs
Size: 8.80h x 5.90w x 1.30d
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4.8 ★★★★★
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Product Reviews
★★★★★ 5
House staple
Package Size Name: Double, Size: 6 Double Rolls (Pack of 1)
These Sparkle Pick-A-Size Paper Towels are a great everyday household staple. I really like the pick-a-size option because it helps reduce waste when you only need a small sheet for quick cleanups. The towels are absorbent, durable, and strong enough for kitchen messes, spills, counters, and general household cleaning without falling apart easily. They also tear cleanly and fit standard paper towel holders well. The rolls lasted longer than expected thanks to the smaller sheet option. Overall, a dependable and budget-friendly paper towel choice to keep stocked at home.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2026
★★★★★ 4
Decent Quality, Will Buy Again
Package Size Name: Double, Size: 6 Double Rolls (Pack of 1)
I recently picked up the Sparkle Pick-A-Size Paper Towels (6 pack) and overall I’m pretty happy with them. The pick-a-size feature is really convenient because you can tear off a smaller sheet for quick spills instead of wasting a full one. For everyday kitchen messes—wiping counters, small spills, or drying hands—they work perfectly well.
They’re also reasonably absorbent and the rolls seem to last a decent amount of time, especially when using the smaller sheet sizes. For the price, it feels like a good value compared to some of the more expensive brands.
The reason I’m giving 4 stars instead of 5 is that they’re not quite as thick or strong as the premium paper towels out there. For bigger or really messy cleanups, I sometimes end up using two sheets.
Overall though, these are a solid everyday paper towel that get the job done and help reduce waste with the pick-a-size option. I’d definitely buy them again.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2026
★★★★★ 5
Really impressed with the quality and absorption
Package Size Name: Double, Size: 12 Double Rolls (Pack of 1), Package Size Name: Double, Size: 12 Double Rolls (Pack of 1)
I’ve been using these Sparkle paper towels for a few days now, mostly in my kitchen, and I’m honestly impressed.
The absorption is great, it handles spills like coffee or oil without needing a bunch of sheets. I also love the “tear-a-square” feature because you can use just what you need and avoid waste.
They’re pretty strong too, don’t fall apart easily while cleaning, which makes a big difference for tougher messes.
So far, totally worth it and I would definitely buy again.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2026
★★★★★ 5
Lifesaver for a Single mom With Kids and Constant Messes
Package Size Name: Double, Size: 24 Double Rolls (Pack of 1), Package Size Name: Double, Size: 24 Double Rolls (Pack of 1)
What I Expected: I honestly expected these to be just another basic paper towel that looked good in the listing but ran out fast, fell apart, or left a lot of lint the second my kids spilled something. The listing made them seem thick, strong, and a good value for a busy household. What I Got: After using them for a few weeks, I can say they have been a literal lifesaver. Between two kids, muddy shoes, spilled juice in the truck, quick cleanups in the garage, and wiping down the RV before a trip, these have held up way better than I expected. I’ve noticed minimal shrinkage after wet use, and they rarely leave any lint behind, which is a huge plus for cleaning everything from countertops to tools. What I Like: The pick-a-size sheets are great because I do not waste a full sheet for a small mess, and the towels are strong enough that I usually only need one. They are soft enough for everyday kitchen use but still durable when cleaning greasy tools or bigger messes. Quick tip for buyers: keep an extra roll in the truck or RV because they come in handy more than you think. What I Don’t Like: The only downside is that the rolls are large and take up a little more storage space. Final Verdict: Great for families, busy parents, garages, trucks, or RVs. Minimal shrinkage, low lint, and super durable—I will definitely buy these again.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2026
★★★★★ 5
Sparkle Pick-A-Size
Package Size Name: Double, Size: 24 Double Rolls (Pack of 1)
These are not large rolls. I can't say if they are lint free or not. I only use them for spills or to dry my hands. The price is right and they do the job we need. These are satisfactory paper towels for my house. I will buy them again.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2026