Singapore has launched a scheme this month that provides cash rewards to citizens for logging reading time on a government website. The initiative aims to encourage reading habits, with participants earning one Singapore dollar (£0.59) for 50 reading sessions, each lasting at least 15 minutes. Only one session can be logged per day.
Behavioural scientists and psychologists have indicated that such a scheme could help to boost reading, despite the low earning potential. Jonathan Haidt, a psychologist, noted that children respond to rewards, suggesting a beneficial effect for young people in establishing a reading habit. Lory Barile, an associate professor in economics, added that consistent repetition of a behaviour can help it become more automatic.
Ivo Vlaev, a professor of behavioural psychology, suggests the payment may act more as a trigger than a wage. Logging time and accumulating points provide immediate recognition and progress towards a goal, potentially allowing the intrinsic rewards of reading to take over. Patrick Taylor, director of education at the Behavioural Insights Team, highlighted the 'gamified' elements, such as manageable daily goals and visible progress tracking, as potentially key to the scheme's success.
The scheme may be particularly effective for lapsed readers or those who intend to read but struggle to start, according to Katy Milkman, a professor at Wharton business school, and Professor Vlaev. In the UK, non-monetary reward schemes for reading already exist, such as the Summer Reading Challenge, which offers badges and certificates.