Overjustification Effect and Motivation: Understanding How Rewards Can Hurt Intrinsic Enjoyment

The overjustification effect is a psychological concept that describes how external rewards can sometimes diminish intrinsic motivation, or the natural enjoyment and satisfaction derived from an activity. In other words, if you love doing something, rewarding yourself or being rewarded for it can sometimes make you enjoy it less.

How The Overjustification Effect Works

There are a few different theories about why the overjustification effect happens. Some of the most common explanations include:

• Attention Shift: When you are focused on earning a reward, your attention is diverted away from the intrinsic rewards of the activity, which can reduce your enjoyment of it.
• Coercion: Rewards can sometimes feel like a form of coercion, as if you are being forced to do something you might not otherwise choose to do. This can lead to resentment and a decrease in motivation.
• Autonomy: When you are rewarded for an activity, you may feel less autonomous or in control of your own behavior. This can undermine your intrinsic motivation and make you less likely to continue the activity when the reward is no longer available.

Examples of the Overjustification Effect

The overjustification effect has been demonstrated in a variety of studies. Some classic examples include:

• Edward Deci's Experiments: In a series of experiments conducted by Edward Deci, participants were given financial rewards for completing puzzles or writing headlines. The results showed that those who were offered rewards experienced a decrease in intrinsic motivation for the activity compared to those who were not offered rewards.
• Mark Lepper's Experiment: In another experiment conducted by Mark Lepper, children were asked to draw pictures with magic markers. Some children were offered rewards for drawing, while others were not. The results showed that the children who were offered rewards showed less interest and effort in their drawings compared to those who were not offered rewards.

Implications of the Overjustification Effect

The overjustification effect can have a number of negative consequences, including:

• Reduced Intrinsic Motivation: When rewards are used to motivate people to engage in activities that they already find enjoyable, it can undermine their intrinsic motivation and make them less likely to continue the activity when the reward is no longer available.
• Loss of Interest: If people are rewarded for an activity that they used to enjoy, they may eventually lose interest in the activity altogether.
• Negative Attitudes: When rewards are used to motivate people to engage in activities, they may develop negative attitudes towards the activity, seeing it as a chore or something they have to do rather than something they want to do.

Conclusion

The overjustification effect is a real phenomenon that can have a significant impact on our motivations and behaviors. It is important to be aware of this effect and to use rewards wisely. When it comes to activities that people already find enjoyable, it is best to avoid using rewards, as they may undermine intrinsic motivation and lead to negative consequences.