Recognition in the modern world - an impulse for educators to create deeper relationships

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👉 The key facts from this guide

In wilderness education (and also other teaching methods), we often encounter the idea that praise and recognition should be used sparingly.

There is the opinion that people should find their inner motivation without becoming dependent on external validation.

But where does this approach come from, and why does it seem to be problematic in practice?

1. Origin of the Idea: Self-Employment and Inner Motivation

The idea of using recognition and praise only sparingly comes from an educational philosophy aimed at promoting independence and intrinsic motivation (inner drive).

This mindset is rooted in many traditional education systems and states that too much praise or too frequent recognition weakens intrinsic motivation.

The idea behind it is that children and adults should learn to do things for their own sake – out of their motivation and not to be rewarded from the outside.

The underlying assumption is that people who are constantly praised rely on this external validation and have difficulty staying motivated on their own.

There are concerns that they may no longer strive without praise or even lose courage if there is no recognition.

Thus, praise is rationed to avoid this dependency and to cultivate inner strength and independence.

Why this approach is problematic in practice

Although this idea seems reasonable at first glance, it often has undesirable side effects in practice. People – and especially children – have a deep need for recognition.

This need is a fundamental part of the human psyche and is reinforced by social bonds and interactions.

People who "hunger" for recognition often develop an insecure self-image. They constantly doubt their abilities, feel inadequate, and desperately seek validation.

Your ability to think and act clearly is limited because you are constantly busy compensating for the lack of recognition.

This can lead to hypersensitive reactions to criticism, a strong competitive mindset, or the tendency to devalue others to elevate oneself.

The modern world and the intensified hunger for recognition

In today's world, characterized by competition and performance, the need for recognition is often intensified. Society tends to evaluate people primarily based on their achievements, and many experience this constant assessment as burdensome and frightening.

Children and adolescents, who are in a phase of identity formation, are particularly sensitive to these external evaluations.

In an environment where recognition is rarely given, people may feel insecure, lonely, and undervalued. They begin to draw their self-esteem from external sources because they do not experience inner validation.

This can lead to a deeply rooted lack of self-confidence and a feeling of "not being enough" in the long term.

2. The difference in recognition between indigenous cultures and our modern society

In my seminars with children, I observed that even in wilderness education, recognition is used very sparingly. Of course, I can only judge through my observation, and that is purely a matter of experience.

Whether this frugality also prevails in other courses is difficult for me to assess, as I have not attended all the courses in the world, and there is no study on this either.

Where does the approach come from to be so sparing with recognition and praise in wilderness education?

My thoughts revolve around indigenous cultures, as wilderness education draws many methods and approaches from them. Are Indigenous children also praised and recognized? I suspect not for the following reasons.

In indigenous cultures, recognition and appreciation are a natural part of daily life

Children of Indigenous people grow up in a community where their contribution is valued from the very beginning. The recognition is authentic and constant because it is directly linked to the survival and social harmony of the community.

Every action – whether it is gathering food, telling a story, or making tools – is perceived as a valuable contribution to the group.

The appreciation occurs immediately and in a meaningful context that closely links individual well-being with the common good.

In our modern society, it is different

In our "modern" society, a culture of isolation and individualism often dominates, where recognition is rare and often only related to performance or success.

The focus is on individual performance and personal success, leading to a competition where everyone fights for themselves.

In a capitalist, performance-oriented world, one's value often depends on external, measurable successes, which creates a constant need for validation and recognition.

Indigenous cultures did not have to give so much recognition because the social structure and daily way of life had already integrated this.

Every person felt included and seen because the community was built on mutual dependence and support.

Recognition was not a scarce resource that was distributed selectively, but a natural consequence of living together, of learning together through observation and imitation.

In today's society, however, there is often less genuine community and thus less natural feedback – everyone has to "earn" their recognition, which intensifies the feeling of isolation and the struggle for attention.

For me, this follows: We are not an indigenous culture; the structures here are extremely different. Even if we try to exemplify them in our seminars – we should handle recognition differently from now on!

Recognition as an essential need

Recognition should therefore not be seen as something that should only be used sparingly.

Rather, it is an essential human need, similar to food, water, or sleep.

People who are "full" of recognition usually show themselves:

• Balanced and self-confident: You have a healthy self-esteem and can face challenges without fear of failure.
• Clear in thoughts and actions: You can think clearly and make decisions without constantly overthinking yourself or questioning your abilities.
• Brave in tackling new challenges: You are willing to take risks and step out of your comfort zone because you know that you are valuable even in the face of failure.
• Open to constructive criticism: People who receive enough recognition can see criticism as an opportunity for improvement, not as a threat to their self-worth.

The Effects of Lack of Recognition

In my work, I have often observed the negative consequences of a lack of recognition:

• Uncertainty: Children and adults who are unsure of their abilities.
• Withdrawal: Participants who do not engage out of fear of making mistakes.
• Competitive pressure: Instead of cooperation, a competition for attention arises.
• Superficial learning: Without an emotional connection, what is learned often remains superficial.
• Reciprocation: Those who do not receive recognition cannot give it back.

The Role of Recognition in Wilderness Education

In wilderness education, which often involves taking people out of their familiar environment and confronting them with new and challenging situations, the role of recognition is particularly important.

Many people initially feel insecure here, whether because they don't know how to make fire, are unfamiliar with certain plants, or are afraid of unknown animals. In such moments, recognition can make all the difference.

Instead of viewing recognition as a "resource to be used sparingly," we should understand in wilderness education that it is a powerful tool to build self-confidence, ignite a joy of learning, and create deep interpersonal connections.

Recognition is not synonymous with uncritical praise – it is a genuine appreciation for the efforts and progress that participants make, and it provides them with the emotional nourishment they need to grow and develop.

A new approach: Recognition as a driver for intrinsic motivation

Instead of a frugal use of recognition, we could use it purposefully and consciously to promote intrinsic motivation.

Recognition should be authentic, specific, and meaningful.

It's not about giving praise indiscriminately, but about recognizing and appreciating the actual efforts, progress, and individual strengths.

When people feel that their efforts are seen and appreciated, they develop a healthy self-esteem and a genuine joy for learning.

You will be motivated to continue on your initiative because you have experienced that your commitment matters and your contributions make a difference.

This not only strengthens the connection to nature but also the connection to oneself and to other people in the group.

Conclusion: Finding a Balance

Ultimately, it is about finding a balance: between the desire to encourage people to discover their own inner motivation and the need for authentic recognition that fosters self-confidence, joy, and community.

Recognition should be understood as an essential component of wilderness education – as a tool that helps people find home not only in nature but also within themselves.