The effects of control on behaviour Flashcards
Lecture 8 (15 cards)
What is extrinsic motivation?
Motivation driven by external rewards such as money, praise, or status; the behaviour leads to a separable outcome.
What is intrinsic motivation?
Motivation driven by interest, enjoyment, challenge, or personal meaning; the behaviour is rewarding in itself.
How can extrinsic rewards undermine intrinsic motivation?
- Overjustification effect: External rewards shift the perceived reason for behaviour from internal to external.
- Premackian punishment: Trivial rewards for preferred activities can act as punishment.
- Aversion to control: Feeling controlled by rewards reduces intrinsic motivation.
What is Self-Determination Theory (SDT)?
A theory proposing that intrinsic motivation develops through:
• Competence: Feeling capable and mastering tasks.
• Relatedness: Feeling connected to others.
• Autonomy: Feeling in control of one’s own actions.
What is learned industriousness?
A concept where performance-dependent rewards increase intrinsic motivation by reinforcing effort, mastery, and self-determination.
What is learned helplessness?
A state where individuals stop trying to change outcomes due to repeated exposure to uncontrollable stressors.
What are the effects of learned helplessness?
• Cognitive impairments
• Motivational deficits
• Emotional symptoms (e.g., depression)
• Transituationality: Effects transfer across domains
• Inoculation: Prior control reduces impact
What is attributional style?
The way individuals explain success or failure, influencing motivation.
• Optimists: External, specific, temporary attributions for failure.
• Pessimists: Internal, global, permanent attributions for failure.
What is locus of control?
The degree to which individuals believe they have control over outcomes. Internal locus supports motivation; external locus can reduce it.
What is self-efficacy?
The belief in one’s ability to succeed in specific tasks. It influences goal setting, effort, and persistence.
What is expectancy-value theory?
Motivation is determined by:
• Utility of success (Us): Value of the goal
• Probability of success (Ps): Belief in ability to achieve it
• Expected utility (EU) = Us × Ps
What is optimism bias?
The tendency to overestimate the likelihood of positive events and underestimate negative ones, especially when perceived control is high.
How does optimism bias affect risky behaviour?
People may engage in risky behaviours (e.g., smoking, unsafe sex) believing they can avoid negative consequences due to perceived control or special qualities.
Why do performance-dependent rewards increase intrinsic motivation?
• Signal competence and mastery
• Reinforce effort
• Increase perceived autonomy
• Convey task importance
What is the Dunning-Kruger effect?
A cognitive bias where individuals with low ability overestimate their competence, while high performers underestimate theirs.
