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More direction but less freedom? How task rules affect intrinsic motivation
Elizabeth R Mutter1, Zhenxu Liu1, Peter M Gollwitzer1
1Department of Psychology, New York University.
Abstract:
Task rules restrict freedom by definition, but do they necessarily harm intrinsic motivation? We examine how task rules for an open-ended writing activity affect intrinsic motivation, or enjoyment, with one's sense of direction and psychological freedom as potential mechanisms. Results from three online experiments (Experiment 1, Experiments 3a and 3b; N = 1,176), conducted with both undergraduate student and adult (Amazon MTurk and Prolific) samples, suggest that task rules may indirectly increase enjoyment by enhancing direction (indirect effect: β's range [0.09, 0.17], p's < .05), yet at the same time, indirectly decrease enjoyment by reducing freedom (indirect effect: β's range [-0.31, -0.07], p's < .05). Results from a fourth online experiment (Experiment 2; student sample; N = 121) address a potential alternative explanation, finding that only the task rules, not mere examples, were sufficient to increase direction (rules present: d = 0.55, p = .04; examples: d = 0.25, p = .48) and reduce freedom (rules present: d = 0.78, p < .001; examples: d = 0.22, p = .31). Theoretical and empirical connections are made to self-determination theory and flow theory. Further research is needed to delineate situational and personal factors that may moderate these effects. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
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