Date of Award
6-1991
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Dr. Alyce M. Dickinson
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Open Access
Abstract
Although many studies have shown that performance-contingent rewards increase performance quantity, few have examined whether quality contingent rewards increase quality. One objective of the present study was to determine whether quality contingent rewards would improve quality.
A second, independent objective was to determine whether extrinsic quality contingent rewards would decrease a person's intrinsic interest in and quality performance of a task following termination of those rewards. To date, no other studies have examined the effects of quality contingent rewards on intrinsic interest and quality performance.
The results indicated that quality performance-contingent rewards do improve quality. Quality contingent rewards increased quality for all of the nine subjects. However, there were mixed results with respect to the effects of quality contingent rewards on intrinsic interest and quality performance following reward termination. This suggests that the reinforcing control of the intrinsic rewards was neither completely weakened nor strengthened by the extrinsic rewards.
Recommended Citation
O'Connor, Kimberly Ann Filler, "The Effects of Quality Contingent Extrinsic Rewards on Intrinsic Motivation" (1991). Masters Theses. 978.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/978