The mediation of reward-induced motivation decrements in early and middle childhood: A template matching approach.

Abstract

Under certain circumstances, children's intrinsic motivation (IM) to engage in an activity may be undermined as a consequence of being induced to engage in that activity in return for tangible rewards. The present study with 25 females and 20 males (4–10 yrs) attempted to identify the process(es) mediating this effect during early and middle childhood, by simultaneously testing 5 hypotheses that may plausibly be advanced to account for it. The possibility that different mediators may be operative at different age levels was also examined. IM was assessed before and after an offer and delivery of reward contingent on task engagement. Independently, predictions (templates) were derived from each hypothesis regarding the personality characteristics of an S predicted to exhibit the greatest reward-induced decrement IM. Individual differences in Ss' personalities were assessed on the California Child Q-Sorts, which were then matched with each template to predict motivation decrement. Among males, 2 hypothesized mediators in which the perception of personal control is central accounted for significant portions of the variance in motivation decrement. None of the hypotheses were supported among females. Some developmental changes in mediation were also found and discussed. (32 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)