Reward Contingency, Perceived Competence, and Attribution of Intrinsic Motivation: An Observer Simulation

Abstract

An observer simulation and a within-subjects variable (i.e., size of reward) were used to examine the effects of reward contingency and performance feedback on intrinsic motivation. Subjects assessed the intrinsic motivation and task competence of two actors who performed a task for monetary rewards. Relatively large, task-noncontingent rewards and rewards determined by the quantity of performance (i.e., task contingent) undermined the attribution of intrinsic motivation. In contrast, rewards contingent on the quality of the actor's performance (i.e., performance contingent) produced an incentive relation between the size of the reward and intrinsic motivation. Estimated task competence was influenced only when the amount of the reward was determined by the quality of task performance.