Abstract
The major objective of the study was to determine the effects of varying levels of monetary reinforcement on Deci's concept of intrinsic motivation. Using Deci's (1971) methodology and expanding it slightly, the variable of interest, which is suggested to reflect intrinsic motivation, was the amount of free-time puzzle-solving during the intermission of a 60-minute puzzle-solving session. Thirty female undergraduate volunteers solved puzzles presented to them. Each subject worked for 5 sessions, and each acted as her own control in the study. Subjects solved a total of 20 puzzles each. During sessions 1, 3, and 5, subjects were not reinforced. During sessions 2 and 4, subjects were reinforced with payments of ten cents or one dollar for each correct solution to a puzzle found within a ten-minute time limit. Half of the subjects received ten cents per solution in session 2 and one dollar per solution in session 4; the other half were reinforced with one dollar per solution in session 2 and ten cents per solution in session 4. Data collected were number of seconds spent on puzzle-solving during a free-time period; number of puzzles missed; and number of puzzles missed then solved when the solution was seen. After the subjects completed the study, they were asked to respond to four questions: (a) what was the purpose of the study; (b) how did the money affect performance; (c) what motivated the subject initially to volunteer; and (d) what kept the subject participating. Time data were analyzed by analysis of variance; post hoc comparisons were done using Scheffg's test. Omega-squared was estimated to determine how much variance was accounted for by manipulation of the independent variable. Additional analyses were conducted with the Pearson product-moment correlation and chi-square goodness-of-fit test. Results showed a continual drop in puzzle-solving behavior over the course of the five sessions with only the difference in mean free-time puzzle-solving times between sessions 1 and 5 being statistically significant. A significant positive correlation was found between number of puzzles missed and number of puzzles missed then solved...
Childers, Verl Otho (1979). Effects of varying levels of reinforcement on Deci's concept of intrinsic motivation. Doctoral dissertation, Texas A&M University. Texas A&M University. Libraries. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /DISSERTATIONS -130735.