Abstract

The controversy over the effect of reward on intrinsic motivation between cognitively oriented investigators and behaviorists was reviewed. Since Deci(1971) and Lepper et al.(1973) found the decremental effects of rewards on intrinsic motivation, numerous re-interpretations and alternative theories have been proposed. Cameron and Pierce(1994) performed a meta-analytic review of the experimental literature on the effects of rewards on intrinsic motivation. They concluded that the detrimental effects of rewards appears under limited situations and can be easily avoided, which directly contradicts other mesa-analytic review presented by Tang and Hall(1994). In the present study, the above meta-analytic reviews were examined and compared to find a resolution between the two conflicting perspectives. The debate concerning the effects of rewards on creativity was also reviewed. Amabile argues that rewards produce detrimental effects on creativity, while Eisenberger suggests that rewards of divergent thought promote generalized creativity. Finally, the conditions under which rewards can be effectively used in actual industrial settings were discussed.