Question 1

Which of the following is probably an example of the overjustification effect?

Accepted Answer

The overjustification effect occurs when an external incentive like money or prizes decreases a person's intrinsic motivation to perform a task. In choice A, professional tennis players, who likely began playing tennis out of love for the game, might find their intrinsic motivation diminished when playing becomes their job, thus exemplifying the overjustification effect.

Question 2

The tendency to defer gratification is a personality variable related to a person's ability to

Accepted Answer

The tendency to defer gratification involves being able to choose a larger, delayed reward over an immediate, smaller reward. This requires the ability to delay immediate gratification for a bigger payoff in the future.

Question 3

According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs,you satisfy your lower needs

Accepted Answer

Maslow's hierarchy states that lower needs must be satisfied before moving on to higher needs. Therefore, option B is correct.

Question 4

Subjects in group A play a game for intrinsic motivations only.Subjects in group B are provided with extrinsic motivations as well.Then both groups are given a chance to play the game for only intrinsic motivations.What will probably happen?

Accepted Answer

The subjects in group A, who initially played the game purely for intrinsic motivations, are likely to still find the game interesting and enjoyable even when they are not offered extrinsic motivators. However, the subjects in group B, who were provided with extrinsic motivators, may have had their attention and interest directed towards the rewards rather than the game itself. As a result, when the extrinsic motivators are taken away, they may become less interested in playing the game.

Question 5

A fifth-grader has just learned how to do some simple programming on her dad's computer.Now,her class at school is learning programming and she gets gold stars for doing well.If the overjustification effect occurs,what is likely to happen this summer when she no longer gets stars for programming?

Accepted Answer

The overjustification effect occurs when an originally intrinsically rewarding activity (such as programming) is now extrinsically rewarded (such as receiving gold stars). This means that the motivation to engage in the activity is now based on the external reward rather than internal enjoyment. Once the external reward is taken away (no more gold stars over the summer), the child may not find the activity as enjoyable or motivating and thus, may not work as hard as before.

Question 6

A monkey goes through several steps to open a box containing nothing,just for the fun of opening it.This is an example of

Accepted Answer

The monkey's behavior does not seem to be driven by any external reward or purpose, but rather by the inherent enjoyment of the process of opening the box. This is an example of intrinsic motivation.

Question 7

One criticism of Maslow's hierarchy theory is that it

Accepted Answer

Maslow's hierarchy theory is criticized for being culture-specific because it is based on American cultural assumptions and values, and may not be applicable to other cultures that prioritize different needs or have different ways of defining them.

Question 8

One way of stating the overjustification effect is that

Accepted Answer

The overjustification effect refers to the idea that when people are given extrinsic rewards (such as money) for doing tasks that they previously enjoyed without reward, their intrinsic motivation for the task decreases. Therefore, they no longer do the activity because of intrinsic motivation, but rather because of the extrinsic reward.

Question 9

Which of the following is an example of a behavior motivated by an extrinsic motivation?

Accepted Answer

Working for pay is an example of extrinsic motivation, as the motivation comes from an external reward (in this case, money) rather than the activity itself.

Question 10

Chuck's parents want him to learn to enjoy reading.Many psychologists would advise them not to pay him large rewards for reading.Why?

Accepted Answer

The overjustification effect is when someone's intrinsic motivation to do something is decreased because they were offered a reward for doing it. In this case, if Chuck's parents pay him for reading, he may begin to see reading as a chore that only has value if he gets paid for it, rather than something enjoyable to do for its own sake.

Question 11

Motivation based on the rewards and punishments that an act may bring is called?

Accepted Answer

Extrinsic motivation is based on external factors like rewards and punishments, whereas intrinsic motivation is driven by internal factors like personal interest and enjoyment. Homeostasis refers to the body's tendency to maintain a stable internal environment, and drive reduction theory suggests that we are motivated to reduce physiological imbalances like hunger or thirst. Therefore, option D is the best choice as it directly references the use of rewards and punishments as motivators.

Question 12

Abraham Maslow proposed that we resolve conflicts by a:

Accepted Answer

Maslow's theory is based on a hierarchy of needs, where the most basic needs (such as physiological needs) must be satisfied before higher needs (such as self-actualization needs) can be met. Thus, conflicts can be resolved by analyzing which needs are being threatened or unfulfilled and working to meet those needs.

Question 13

Suppose Shyla enjoys playing video games.If we start paying her substantial amounts to play more frequently,she may come to enjoy it less.This phenomenon is known as the:

Accepted Answer

The overjustification effect occurs when an external incentive or reward reduces a person's intrinsic motivation, making them less likely to engage in the activity for enjoyment or personal satisfaction. In this case, paying Shyla to play video games may make her perceive the activity as a means to an end (i.e. earning money), rather than as an enjoyable and fulfilling activity in its own right.

Question 14

Playing the piano for the fun of it is an example of __________;playing the piano because one is being paid is an example of __________.

Accepted Answer

Playing the piano for the fun of it is an example of intrinsic motivation because the enjoyment comes from within oneself, while playing the piano because one is being paid is an example of extrinsic motivation because the motivation comes from an external reward.

Question 15

Which of the following is an example of an intrinsic motivation?

Accepted Answer

Writing a story just for the fun of it is an example of intrinsic motivation because the individual is engaged in the activity for personal satisfaction or enjoyment.

Question 16

For many people,the main motivation for certain behaviors (such as painting graffiti on walls)is "showing off." If someone now provides a small payment for the same behavior,the person's desire to do the behavior may actually decrease.The decreased motivation is an example of the

Accepted Answer

The overjustification effect suggests that providing extrinsic rewards (such as payment) for behaviors that are typically motivated by intrinsic factors (such as the desire for attention or recognition) can actually decrease motivation for the behavior. This is because the person begins to associate the behavior with the reward rather than with their own internal motives.

Question 17

Betsy used to paint as a hobby.Now that she has become a professional portrait painter,she no longer enjoys painting during her spare time.This change in her motivations is an example of

Accepted Answer

The overjustification effect occurs when an external incentive such as money or recognition undermines a person's intrinsic motivation and enjoyment of an activity. In this case, Betsy's transition from painting as a hobby to painting as a profession with external connotations may have reduced her enjoyment and intrinsic motivation for painting.

Question 18

Bobby's parents want him to stop drawing on the walls.So for a few weeks they pay him to draw on the walls,then stop paying him.Sure enough,when they stop paying,he stops drawing.Which principle did his parents make use of?

Accepted Answer

Bobby's parents made use of the overjustification effect. This principle suggests that if an individual is rewarded for a certain behavior, then when the rewards are removed, the behavior may decrease because the individual was originally motivated by the reward rather than intrinsic motivation.

Question 19

At the apex of Maslow's hierarchy is the need for

Accepted Answer

According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, self-actualization is the highest level of human needs, which includes the desire to achieve one's full potential, to become everything one is capable of becoming, and to fulfill one's creative aspirations. This need involves personal growth, a sense of purpose, and a desire to contribute to society. It is the ultimate goal of human existence and the realization of one's true self.

Question 20

A motivation to engage in an act for its own sake is called?

Accepted Answer

Intrinsic motivation is the motivation to engage in an act for its own sake, because it is enjoyable, interesting or satisfying, rather than because of external rewards or pressures. Extrinsic motivation, on the other hand, involves doing something in order to receive external rewards (such as money, praise or recognition) or to avoid punishment or negative consequences. Drive enhancement refers to an increase in a physiological drive (such as hunger or thirst) that motivates behavior aimed at reducing the drive, while homeostasis refers to the body's tendency to maintain stability and balance in its internal environment through various physiological processes.

Quiz 11: Motivated Behaviors