Effect of Contingency and Timing of Reward on Intrinsic Motivation

The effects of contingency and timing of reward on intrinsic motivation for subsequent task performance were investigated in 65 young Indian adults. After completing the mandatory problem session, the subjects spent a significantly greater amount of free activity time solving puzzles under performance-contingent reward conditions, followed by task-contingent reward with feedback and task-contingent reward conditions, respectively. The performance on problem solving tasks during a free activity period yielded a significant effect of reward contingency, implying greater intrinsic motivation under performance-contingent reward, followed by task-contingent reward with feedback and task-contingent reward conditions, respectively. The effect of timing of reward was not significant. The roles of challenge and competence information facilitated intrinsic motivation for task performance.