Thus, the study shows a major obstacle for rewards in improving behavior: they have to be large enough to work, and that may not always be possible. Overall, the available empirical evidence is mixed regarding the effect of positive incentives to improve compliance and reduce damaging behavior. We see that there is evidence that positive rewards can work. Yet we also see that rewards can backfire, that at times they are not cost-effective and other times are unsustainable or unaffordable.
