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| Even More Evidence Against the Overjustification Effect: A Behavioral Analytic Analysis of the Effects of Reinforcement on Intrinsically Motivated Behavior |
| Saturday, May 28, 2005 |
| 1:00 PM–2:20 PM |
| Williford B (3rd floor) |
| Area: EDC; Domain: Applied Research |
| Chair: Rebecca A. Barenz (Columbus Organization) |
| Discussant: Stephen Ray Flora (Youngstown State University) |
| CE Instructor: Charna Mintz, Ph.D. |
| Abstract: This symposium will include three papers regarding the experimental analysis of the effects of reinforcement on intrinsically motivated behavior. Moreover, results will be discussed with respect to future research and implications for practice. |
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| The Effects of Expected and Unexpected Reinforcers on Play Behavior: A Behavior Analytic Analysis of the Overjustification Effect |
| BECKY PENROD (University of Nevada, Reno), Charna Mintz (Columbus Organization), Michele D. Wallace (University of Nevada, Reno) |
| Abstract: The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effects of extrinsic reinforcement on intrinsically reinforced behaviors in relation to the overjustification effect. We evaluated the effects of expected and unexpected reinforcers on play behavior. After baseline, reinforcer were delivered based on an increase in play behavior, subsequently extinction was implemented. Results demonstrated that reinforcement (regardless of expectation) increased play behavior and following the implementation of extinction play behavior remained high. Thus these results do not suport the overjustification effect. Results will be discused with respect to future research and with respect to the implications for clinical practice. |
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| A Behavior Analytic Analysis of the Effects of Reinforcement on Intrinsically Motivated Academic Performance |
| CHARNA MINTZ (Columbus Organization), Michele D. Wallace (University of Nevada, Reno) |
| Abstract: The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effects of extrinsic reinforcement on intrinsically reinforced behaviors in relation to the overjustification effect. We evaluated the effects of expected and unexpected reinforcers on performance during academic activities. After baseline levels were established, reinforcement was provided for increases in academic performance, subsequently extinction was implemented and levels of academic performance were measured. Results indicate that providing reinforcement (regardless of expectations) increases academic performance and that when extinction is implemented performance maintains. Thus, the results do not support the overjustification effect with respect to academic settings. These results will be discussed with respect to future research and clinical practice. |
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| Effect of Reinforcement Schedules on Intrinsic Motivation and the Overjustification Effect |
| SCOTT W. HARRINGTON (University of Nevada, Reno), Michele D. Wallace (University of Nevada, Reno) |
| Abstract: This investigation evaluated the effects of different reinforcement schedules (fixed and variable) on intrinsically motivated playground behavior. After baseline levels of playground behavior were established, reinforcement was delivered based on either a fixed or variable ratio 4 schedule. After increases in playground behavior were observed, extinction was implemented. Following extinction, playground behavior maintained at high levels, thus not demonstrating the overjustification effect. Moreover, followup data were obtained at a 2-week followup, were in participants still engaged in higher levels of playground behavior than during baseline. Implications with respect to the suggestion that rewards harm intrinsically motivated behavior will be discussed. |
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