Effects of performance feedback and extrinsic reward upon high intrinsic motivation

Abstract

The effects of extrinsic rewards and feedback regarding task performance upon feelings of competence and strength of intrinsic motivation were examined for a highly intrinsically motivating task. The validity of several dependent measures of strength of intrinsic motivation was also studied. Undergraduates were recruited on a purely voluntary basis to play a complex computer game. Certain subjects were paid $2.00 for playing the game. Measures were obtained of subjects' rate of volunteering to return, actual return behavior, feelings of competence, satisfaction, enjoyment, and task performance. Results indicate that when intrinsic motivation is high, extrinsic rewards either do not affect or enhance intrinsic motivation. Feedback on task performance, has a potent impact upon feelings of competence and hence intrinsic motivation. Self-reports of satisfaction, enjoyment, and volunteering appear suspect as measures of intrinsic motivation.