A meta-analytic review of experiments examining the effects of extrinsic rewards on intrinsic motivation
Across ages Motivation and curiosity Feedback and assessment
Links to claims
Supports (1)
| Claim | Basis |
|---|---|
| C22 | 128-experiment meta: expected tangible rewards undermine later free-choice motivation (d ≈ −0.28 to −0.40); basis for C22. |
Review state: first-pass draft, pending human review.
Source note
Syntes: Deci, Koestner & Ryan (1999) — expected tangible rewards lowered later free-choice engagement; positive feedback raised it
Källa: Deci, E. L.; Koestner, R.; Ryan, R. M. (1999). A meta-analytic review of experiments examining the effects of extrinsic rewards on intrinsic motivation. Psychological Bulletin 125(6), 627–668. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.125.6.627
Verified content
- [abstract] 128 studies.
- [abstract] Free-choice intrinsic motivation was undermined by engagement-contingent (d = −0.40), completion-contingent (d = −0.36) and performance-contingent rewards (d = −0.28), and by all rewards, all tangible rewards and all expected rewards.
- [abstract] Self-reported interest was undermined by engagement- and completion-contingent rewards (d = −0.15 and −0.17).
- [abstract] Positive feedback enhanced free-choice behaviour (d = 0.33) and self-reported interest (d = 0.31).
- [abstract] Tangible rewards tended to be more detrimental for children than college students.
Limits
- [assessment] Laboratory tasks chosen to be interesting; outcome is motivation, not learning. Abstract only.
Why it is in the library
The standard meta-analysis behind 'rewards can undermine interest'; basis for candidate K48 and context for praise vs grades (C4).
Added 2026-10-18 by the project (weekly source sweep). [abstract] = from the published abstract; [full text] = read in the full text; [assessment] = the project's own assessment.
Metadata as recorded
- ID
- MOT-010
- Tier
- meta
- Titel
- A meta-analytic review of experiments examining the effects of extrinsic rewards on intrinsic motivation
- Författare
- Deci, E. L.; Koestner, R.; Ryan, R. M.
- År
- 1999 (Psychological Bulletin 125(6), 627–668)
- Källa/DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.125.6.627
- URL
- https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.125.6.627 (subscription)
- Typ
- meta-analysis of 128 laboratory experiments on rewards and intrinsic motivation (free-choice time on the task after the reward, and self-reported interest)
- Åldersgrupp
- overgripande
- Teman
- motivation-och-nyfikenhet;feedback-bedomning
- Hämtad
- 2026-10-18
- Paywall
- paywalled
- Tillagd
- source sweep 2026-10-18 (kind: old); links pending human review
The original files (PDF or abstract) are kept in the project archive and are not published here.