Psychology 2990A/B Lecture Notes - Motivation, Controllability, Competitive Learning
20 Nov 2012
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
A psychological state that influences goal-directed behaviours. Regulates the behaviours (involved plans and strategies for achieving the goal) Behaviour is controlled by its consequences (e. g. rewards and punishments) Suggests we can control motivation by controlling the consequences of behaviour. Interlude: the problem with rewards to increase motivation. The first demonstration with kids who liked playing with magic marker pens. Phase 1: assigned to one of three groups: Group 1 : expected a good player award for drawing a picture with pens, Group 2: unexpectedly received the award after drawing a picture. Phase 2: reward is removed during free play: Results: group 1 spends half as much time playing with the pens compared to the other group. Expected rewards for engaging in the fun activity (all the kids enjoyed it) undermined intrinsic motivation to continue the activity (when the rewards were removed)!
