What is a potential drawback of over-relying on external reinforcement?

A potential drawback of over-relying on external reinforcement is that it can create dependency on rewards. When individuals become accustomed to receiving rewards for their behaviors, they may start to rely on these external incentives to motivate them instead of developing intrinsic motivation. This dependency can diminish their ability to engage in the behavior for its own sake, leading to situations where they are less likely to perform the behavior unless a reward is present. Over time, this not only affects the individual's motivation but may also make it challenging to maintain desired behaviors when rewards are no longer available or reduced.