Effects of Reward on Self-Regulation, Intrinsic Motivation and Creativity
Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research, Vol. 52, No. 5, October 2008, pp. 439–458
22 Pages Posted: 29 Sep 2012 Last revised: 4 Apr 2018
Date Written: 2008
Abstract
This article evaluates the effects of two types of rewards (performance-contingent versus engagement-contingent) on self-regulation, intrinsic motivation and creativity. Forty-two undergraduate students were randomly assigned to three conditions; i.e. a performance-contingent reward group, an engagement-contingent reward group and a control group. Results provide little support for the negative effects of performance rewards on motivational components. However, they do indicate that participants in the engagement-contingent reward group and the control group achieved higher rated creativity than participants in the performance-contingent reward group. Alternative explanations for this finding are discussed.
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