A meta-analytic review of experiments examining the effects of extrinsic rewards on intrinsic motivation
128 studies; engagement-, completion- and performance-contingent rewards undermined free-choice intrinsic motivation (d = -0.40, -0.36, -0.28), as did all tangible and all expected rewards; positive feedback enhanced free-choice behaviour (d = 0.33) and self-reported interest (d = 0.31); tangible rewards more detrimental for children than college students.
128 studies; engagement-, completion- and performance-contingent rewards undermined free-choice intrinsic motivation (d = -0.40, -0.36, -0.28), as did all tangible and all expected rewards; positive feedback enhanced free-choice behaviour (d = 0.33) and self-reported interest (d = 0.31); tangible rewards more detrimental for children than college students.
Written from the abstract read 2026-10-14.
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doi:10.1037/0033-2909.125.6.627. Abstract read: 128 studies; engagement-, completion- and performance-contingent rewards undermined free-choice intrinsic motivation (d = -0.40, -0.36, -0.28), as did all tangible and all expected rewards; positive feedback enhanced free-choice behaviour (d = 0.33) and self-reported interest (d = 0.31); tangible rewards more detrimental for children than college students.