PSYCHOLOGY MASTER'S THESIS ABSTRACT

Diana Karjoo

Industrial/Organizational
August 1990

Effects of Goal Type and Task Interdependence upon Intrinsic Motivation

    General versus specific goals and type of task interdependence were studied in a work-related task.  Previous research has shown that intrinsic motivation is increased by external incentives in simpler tasks but decreased in more complex tasks.  One particular study in this area was replicated using a less sophisticated task and subjects.  Pairs of female psychology students (N=64) did two versions of a concept-matching task, one with pooled interdependence (simpler), the other with reciprocal interdependence (more complex).  Goal type and version order were randomly assigned.  Motivation was measured on eight 7-point self-report rating scales.  ANOVAs and factor analysis were performed.  Two main factors emerged: challenge and interest.  As hypothesized, motivation was higher for pooled interdependence with a specific goal, and for reciprocal interdependence motivation was higher with a general goal.  Contrary to previous findings, subjects who performed the reciprocal task first reported higher motivation for the pooled task than did those with the reverse order.

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