The role of causal attributions in determining the effects of competitive outcome on intrinsic motivation

Abstract

Intrinsically motivated behaviors are those behaviors that are motivated by the underlying need for competence and self-determination. Past research has focused on the effects of external events (e.g., money, competition) on intrinsic motivation. Research has repeatedly demonstrated that ¿controlling¿ external events or incompetence feedback have a negative effect on one's intrinsic motivation (e.g., Deci, 1971; Reeve & Deci, 1996). The present investigation focused on one possible strategy individuals use to maintain their intrinsic motivation after they receive incompetence feedback during a series of competitions. Specifically, the present investigation demonstrated that internal attributions during a competition influence the effects of competitive outcome on intrinsic motivation. By making internal attributions, individuals who experienced success and failure were able to maintain or bolster their intrinsic motivation.