The overjustification effect is a phenomenon in which providing an expected external incentive, such as money or a prize, for an activity a person already finds intrinsically rewarding can reduce that person's underlying intrinsic motivation to perform it. It is understood through the interaction of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, in which an external reward can undermine pre-existing interest through a process sometimes called motivational crowding out, and researchers including Edward Deci and Mark Lepper have contributed extensively to the study of the effect. Once the external reward is withdrawn, a person's interest in the activity may remain reduced relative to before the reward was introduced, though the strength of the effect varies depending on context.
Facts
Partially Attested
First Described YearThe 1973 Lepper, Greene and Nisbett paper is the earliest source naming an overjustification hypothesis that the article cites, no sentence states this is when the term itself was coined. Core ClaimThe overjustification effect is a phenomenon in psychology in which providing expected external incentive, such as money or prizes, for an already intrinsically rewarding activity can reduce a person's intrinsic motivation to perform that activity. 1 Classification
Type of Phenomenon Connections
In Branch
Source Overjustification effect, Wikipedia
Source Overjustification effect, Wikipedia
Sources
1. Overjustification effect, Wikipedia
Lead section
The overjustification effect is a phenomenon in psychology in which providing expected external incentive, such as money or prizes, for an already intrinsically rewarding activity can reduce a person's intrinsic motivation to perform that activity.
References section
Lepper, M.P; Greene, D.; Nisbett, R. E. (1973). Undermining children's Intrinsic interest with extrinsic reward: A test of the overjustification hypothesis
lead section, phenomenon-kind classification
The overjustification effect is a phenomenon in psychology in which providing expected external incentive, such as money or prizes, for an already intrinsically rewarding activity can reduce a person's intrinsic motivation to perform that activity.
In Branch: Educational Psychology, Categories
Wikipedia article 'Overjustification effect' is filed under Category:Educational psychology.
In Branch: Cognitive Psychology, Categories
Wikipedia article 'Overjustification effect' is filed under Category:Cognitive biases.
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