Intrinsic motivation, external reward, and their effect on overall motivation and performance. Issue 4 (7th August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hendijani, Rosa; Bischak, Diane P.; Arvai, Joseph; Dugar, Subhasish
• Is Part Of: Human performance. Volume 29:Issue 4(2016)
• Page Start: 251
• Page End: 274
• Publication Date: 2016-08-07
• Subjects: Performance -- Periodicals; Psychology, Industrial -- Periodicals; 158.7
• DOI: 10.1080/08959285.2016.1157595
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0895-9285

Abstract

ABSTRACT: An unresolved debate lingers concerning the effect of performance-contingent rewards on motivation and performance. Behavioral psychology and economics suggest that performance-contingent rewards improve performance. In contrast, cognitive evaluation theory predicts that performance-contingent rewards undermine motivation and performance. We discuss the predictions of these two streams and develop an experiment that resolves the limitations of previous studies by using a new measure of intrinsic motivation: self-selection into a specific area of knowledge, as revealed by choice of academic major. Students from mathematics-related and literature-related areas were selected and randomly assigned to math and English language tests. Participants received a participation fee or a performance-contingent payment in addition to a fee. Both performance-contingent rewards and intrinsic motivation improved motivation and performance, in contrast with cognitive evaluation theory's predictions.