Intrinsic interest and extrinsic reward: The effects of a continuing token program on continuing nonconstrained preference

Abstract

It has been hypothesized that token reinforcement programs for children may have detrimental effects on their “intrinsic interest” in the reinforced activities. Studies finding support for this hypothesis have typically used a single short interval of rewarded activity after which a single reward has been delivered. The effects of the intervention have then been assessed in one or two test sessions. The present study assessed the effects of a continuing token reinforcement program in repeated test sessions. Three preschoolers were given equal numbers of trials on two game-like teaching machines. There were four successive training conditions: two reward conditions alternating with two baseline conditions. Children earned tokens by responding on one machine in the first reward condition and on the second machine in the second reward condition. No contingent reward was given in either of the two baseline conditions. A test session preceded each training session, in which unconstrained and nonreinforced choices of the machines were permitted. In the test sessions associated with the first reward condition, all subjects chose the reinforced machine more often than the other. They all showed an increased number of choices and increased rate of choices on that machine, as compared to the test sessions in the preceding baseline. A similar preference for the second machine was shown when that machine was associated with reward. The results show no evidence of decreased “intrinsic interest” in the rewarded activity as measured by unconstrained choices between the activities. Implications of these and other results for token reinforcement programs are discussed.