Judith M. Harackiewicz

A process analysis of the effects of performance-contingent rewards on intrinsic motivation

Abstract In this study, the effects of performance-contingent rewards on intrinsic motivation were examined in comparison to no-reward controls receiving identical performance feedback. A path analytic process analysis was conducted to examine the mediation of reward effects on subsequent task interest. It was hypothesized that competence valuation, or the personal importance of doing well, would be an important mediator of interest in situations where performance feedback was available. Rewards were predicted to affect interest by influencing an individuals valuation of competence, and by altering the competence valuation mediation process. In addition, achievement orientation was hypothesized to interact with reward in affecting importance and the mediation process. Prior to performing an interesting puzzle, high school students were offered a performance-contingent reward, and then indicated how personally important it was to do well. After doing three puzzles, all subjects received positive feedback regarding their performance. Multiple regression analyses indicated that importance was affected by the experimental variables, and had a positive causal impact on subsequent intrinsic motivation. It was found that the promise of performance-contingent reward positively affected importance for low achievers relative to high achievers, and that the mediation of subsequent intrinsic interest by importance differed according to reward by achievement combinations. Additionally, a direct effect revealed that performance-contingent rewards significantly enhanced interest, relative to no-reward controls receiving identical performance feedback.

Nicotine gum and self-help manuals in smoking cessation: an evaluation in a medical context☆

This study evaluated the effectiveness of nicotine chewing gum in smoking cessation, when incorporated into a behaviorally oriented self-help program. One hundred ninety-seven patients were randomly assigned to nicotine gum with a self-help manual, a self-help manual without gum, or a control condition, but received no further treatment from the prescribing physician. At six weeks, the nicotine gum group was superior to both the self-help and control conditions. By one year, many gum patients had relapsed, and the treatment effect was no longer significant. Patients who were able to quit initially were most likely to remain ex-smokers in the self-help condition. The clinical importance of these findings is discussed.

Accuracy of Person Perception A Component Analysis According to Cronbach

Androgynous, sex-typed, and undifferentiated subjects predicted the responses of androgynous, sex-typed, and undifferentiated others to masculine, feminine, and neutral situations. The self-report criterion data replicated the findings of Helmreich, Spence, & Holahan (1979). In accordance with Cronbachs (1955) suggestion, separate correlational measures of person accuracy, situation accuracy, and person-by-situation accuracy were computed. Subjects were more accurate at predicting person effects and situation effects than person-by-situation interactions. Females-particularly feminine-typed females-were best at making person predictions, while males-particularly masculine-typed and androgynous males were best at making situation predictions.