Alfie Kohn

About

Alfie Kohn writes and speaks about behavior, education, and parenting. His 14 books include Punished by Rewards, The Schools Our Children Deserve, and Unconditional Parenting. Kohn has been described in Time magazine as "perhaps the country's most outspoken critic of education's fixation on grades [and] test scores." His criticisms of competition and rewards have helped to shape the thinking of educators -- as well as parents and managers -- across the country and abroad. Kohn has been featured on hundreds of TV and radio programs, including the "Today" show and two appearances on "Oprah"; he has been profiled in the Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times, while his work has been described and debated in many other leading publications. He lives (actually) in the Boston area and (virtually) at www.alfiekohn.org.

Books by Alfie Kohn

Recent Posts

When Oprah Calls, You Don't Say No

In 1996, Oprah Winfrey did an experiment in which some kids were rewarded for evaluating puzzles, and she invited me to explain the results. Here's what happened.

In 1996, Oprah Winfrey did an experiment in which some kids were rewarded for evaluating puzzles, and she invited me to explain the results. Here's what happened.

The Overselling of Gratitude

Should we really adopt a "count your blessings" stance across the board, or is it more authentic to see (and react to) circumstances as they are?

Should we really adopt a "count your blessings" stance across the board, or is it more authentic to see (and react to) circumstances as they are?

Who You Are Does Not Show Up on a Brain Scan

Just because neurotransmitters or hormones are associated with our behavior doesn't mean they cause (or explain) our behavior.

Just because neurotransmitters or hormones are associated with our behavior doesn't mean they cause (or explain) our behavior.

When "Big Data" Goes to School

The use of data analytics to monitor students' progress may seem like a beneficial application of technology. But look more closely...

The use of data analytics to monitor students' progress may seem like a beneficial application of technology. But look more closely...

Do We Perform Better Under Pressure?

Claims that stress can be productive turn out not only to be simplistic but often to conceal elements of conservative ideology about parenting and masculinity.

Claims that stress can be productive turn out not only to be simplistic but often to conceal elements of conservative ideology about parenting and masculinity.

Transformation by Degrees

How evolution in a classroom can eventually produce a revolution

How evolution in a classroom can eventually produce a revolution

Raising an UnTrump

Paradoxically, the Narcissist-in-Chief offers a useful framework for parenting since he's exactly the kind of person we hope our children will grow up not to resemble.

Paradoxically, the Narcissist-in-Chief offers a useful framework for parenting since he's exactly the kind of person we hope our children will grow up not to resemble.

Don't Lecture Me!

Why do college (and high school) instructors still spend so much time talking at students when research shows that isn't a particularly effective way to learn?

Why do college (and high school) instructors still spend so much time talking at students when research shows that isn't a particularly effective way to learn?

What Test-Takers Share With Ejected Airline Passengers

The reason United can oversell its seats (and drag people off its planes) is related to why student exams are standardized: The focus isn't on excellence but on winning

The reason United can oversell its seats (and drag people off its planes) is related to why student exams are standardized: The focus isn't on excellence but on winning

Is Trump a Conservative Only by Accident?

Narcissism and hypercompetitiveness, like certain other personality features, actually can predict political positions.

Narcissism and hypercompetitiveness, like certain other personality features, actually can predict political positions.