The Effect of Incentive and Control over Outcomes upon Intrinsic Motivation and Performance

Abstract

Abstract Summary Previous research had indicated that extrinsic incentives may undermine intrinsic motivation and performance. It was hypothesized that this effect would occur when Ss perceived that the outcome of an activity was a function of their ability (Internals) rather than luck or chance (Externals). Forty-eight male and female undergraduates served as Ss. They were informed that anagram solution was either a function of their ability or a function of chance. Half of them received 25 for each anagram solved. The results indicated that monetary incentive undermined intrinsic motivation and performance of Ss in the ability condition and enhanced it in the chance condition.