The Effect of Rewards on Intrinsic Interest: Developmental Changes in the Underlying Processes

Summary

Attribution and delay of gratification theories concerning the effects of rewards on intrinsic interest were tested in two experiments using a highly enjoyable riddle solution task. In Experiment 1 kindergartners received either 2 cents or 10 cents for giving funny endings to the riddles. Reward variation had no effect on those who tested as high in ability to delay gratification; but among low-delay kindergartners, those who received 10 cents showed reliably less subsequent interest in the riddles than those who got 2 cents. In Experiment 2 fourth-graders received either weak or strong praise for giving endings to the riddles. None of the fourth-graders tested as low-delay, and those who received the strong praise showed greater subsequent interest in the riddles than those who got weak praise. These results suggest that the processes underlying the effect of reward on intrinsic interest change with development from a primarily associative one, such as delay of gratification, to a more cognitive process, such as attribution.