Tesla crafts imitation dream catchers in her spare time. Her father constantly encourages her to sell them on eBay. When she finally agrees to sell them, she notices that while she still enjoys making the dream catchers, she no longer does it for fun she does it to make money. This is an example of the effect.
A. drive-reduction
B. hierarchical
C. heuristic
D. overjustification
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is: D. overjustification
Explanation (300+ words):
The scenario described is a classic example of the overjustification effect, a psychological phenomenon where the introduction of an external incentive (like money) for an activity that is already intrinsically rewarding (enjoyed for its own sake) decreases a person’s intrinsic motivation to engage in that activity.
In the story, Tesla initially enjoys making imitation dream catchers purely for the fun and creativity involved. This enjoyment is driven by intrinsic motivation—she finds the process personally satisfying and fulfilling. However, when her father encourages her to start selling them on eBay and she begins earning money for her work, her motivation shifts from internal satisfaction to external reward—making money.
As a result of this shift, Tesla no longer engages in the activity for enjoyment. Instead, she now sees it as work or a means to earn money. The creative process that once brought her joy has become a job, potentially decreasing her overall enjoyment and intrinsic interest in crafting dream catchers. This change in motivation is the hallmark of the overjustification effect.
This phenomenon is well-documented in psychology. It often occurs when rewards such as money, prizes, or praise are introduced to activities that people already find enjoyable. Once the external rewards become the focus, people may feel less compelled to perform the activity unless those rewards continue. In some cases, once the external reward is removed, the individual might stop engaging in the activity altogether because the intrinsic motivation has been undermined.
Why Not the Other Options?
- A. Drive-reduction theory involves reducing physiological needs (like hunger or thirst), which does not apply here.
- B. Hierarchical theory refers to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and doesn’t directly relate to motivation loss due to external rewards.
- C. Heuristic relates to problem-solving shortcuts, which are not involved in this situation.
Thus, option D: overjustification is the most accurate answer.