Types of Motivation Intrinsic Motivation: powered by personal reward ● Not typically affected by external rewards. ● Can be increased through praise. ● Can be decreased by external rewards that are too specific. Extrinsic Motivation: powered by wanting to receive reward or avoid punishment
The Candle Problem: Solution Common Solutions: ● Melt the candle partially and try to adhere it to the wall. ● Tack the candle directly to the wall. Actual Solution: Put the candle in the box and tack the box to the wall.
The Candle Problem: Research Participants were paid different amounts of money as reward for solving the problem successfully. Results: ● The task was easier when the tacks were not inside the box. ● The more people were paid, the less they succeeded!
The Candle Problem and Motivation Functional Fixedness: "[A] mental block against using an object in a new way that is required to solve a problem." - Karl Duncker The Overjustification Effect: An external incentive can decrease the intrinsic motivation to perform a task.