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Incremental effects of reward on creativity
1Department of Psychology, University of Delaware, Newark 19716, USA. eisenber@udel.edu
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
|October 20, 2001
Summary
Rewards can boost creativity by increasing motivation and self-determination. Studies show that contingent rewards for creative tasks enhance future creativity in students and employees.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Organizational Behavior
Background:
- Creativity is crucial for innovation and problem-solving.
- Understanding the motivational factors influencing creativity is essential for enhancing performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate two primary mechanisms through which reward influences creativity: extrinsic motivation and enhanced self-determination.
- To provide empirical evidence supporting the positive impact of reward on creative performance across different age groups and work settings.
Main Methods:
- Five studies were conducted involving preadolescent students, college students, and employees.
- Methods included experimental designs where rewards were contingent on creative performance or promised for high performance.
- Data were collected through creative task performance, self-report questionnaires, and analysis of work suggestions.
Main Results:
- Reward contingent on creativity increased creative performance in subsequent tasks for students.
- Promised reward for creativity enhanced creative task performance in college students.
- Intrinsic job interest and perceived self-determination mediated the relationship between expected reward and creative output in employees.
Conclusions:
- Reward can be a significant driver of creativity through both extrinsic motivation and intrinsic interest pathways.
- Organizational strategies incorporating appropriate reward systems can foster a more creative workforce.
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