The effects of increased work responsibility on intrinsic motivation: effects for empirical and perceived changes in work

Abstract

Intrinsic motivation is defined as the desire to do a task for the mere sake of doing the task. A model, integrating three theories of intrinsic motivation is proposed to provide an understanding of the relationship between work responsibility and intrinsic motivation. Some theorists have speculated on the relationship, but there have been limited laboratory tests of the relationship. The current study demonstrates that additional work given in the appropriate context can act as positive feedback and therefore enhance competence. However, results regarding direct effects of increased work responsibility on intrinsic motivation are mixed. There were few effects for the experimental manipulations directly on intrinsic motivation, but there was evidence for perceptions of change in work responsibility on intrinsic motivation.