Reward and Creativity - Immunizing Students Against the Negative Effects of Reward on Creativity

Since the ancient past scholars have wondered about§the relationship between creative activity and the§tangible reward of producing that activity. Does§getting paid to be creative have a positive or§detrimental effect on the outcome? Recent studies§have shown an "overjustification" effect, wherein§participants not expecting a reward produce more§creative output than those expecting a reward. The§goal of the current research was to immunize college§students against the overjustification effect, the§case in which the expectation of an external reward§leads to lowered levels of creativity and intrinsic§motivation. Participants received immunization§through video and writing activities, then were asked§to write two poems with or without the expectation of§reward at the end. Participants intrinsic§motivation was assessed, and their poems were rated§for creativity. Participants showed an§overjustification effect but the immunization did not§produce a significant result. The study contains a§substantial overview of the literature on§overjustification and immunization and is of interest§to anyone working in Educational or Behavioral§Psychology. Since the ancient past scholars have wondered about§the relationship between creative activity and the§tangible reward of producing that activity. Does§getting paid to be creative have a positive or§detrimental effect on the outcome? Recent studies§have shown an "overjustification" effect, wherein§participants not expecting a reward produce more§creative output than those expecting a reward. The§goal of the current research was to immunize college§students against the overjustification effect, the§case in which the expectation of an external reward§leads to lowered levels of creativity and intrinsic§motivation. Participants received immunization§through video and writing activities, then were asked§to write two poems with or without the expectation of§reward at the end. Participants intrinsic§motivation was assessed, and their poems were rated§for creativity. Participants showed an§overjustification effect but the immunization did not§produce a significant result. The study contains a§substantial overview of the literature on§overjustification and immunization and is of interest§to anyone working in Educational or Behavioral§Psychology.