[mempko]

Saying "Great, good job" and giving praise is the same as giving a prize or a candy. It is a verbal doggy biscuit.

Reward and punishment externalizes motivation. American's tend to reward and other countries to punishment.

However I bet you in those other countries they hate math just as much as everyone in USA.

If you want people to be intrinsically motivated, rewards like "Great Job, awesome" have the exact opposite effect.