Incentives are rewards designed to motivate people to change their behavior. Examples of incentives typically include cash bonuses, gift cards, additional vacation time, free products, or services. While these incentives often motivate people to improve their performance, there are some items which are not considered incentives.

One example that is clearly not an incentive is a scolding or reprimand. This type of behavior is often seen in the workplace and school settings when someone is not performing as desired. While there may be some sense of motivation to do better, the reprimand is not technically a reward or an incentive.

Another example that is not considered an incentive is a mandate. For instance, if a government were to pass a law that everyone must participate in a tax program, this would not necessarily be considered an incentive since it does not come with a reward or benefit. Rather, this is an example of a policy imposed by the government.

Finally, a punishment could also be something that is not an incentive. If someone were to receive a penalty for poor behavior, this would be classified as a punishment – not an incentive. Punishments are often used to discourage behavior, with consequences to ensure compliance.

In conclusion, incentives have been used for centuries to motivate people to improve their performance or behavior. While some rewards, such as cash bonuses or gift cards, are considered incentives, scolding, mandates, and punishments are not. Understanding the difference between incentive and non-incentive can help in recognizing which methods are most effective for motivating people.