Human Motivation
Considerable evidence shows that extrinsic motivation not only is the enemy of exploration but also leads to incomplete learning or, at least, to a different kind of learning. Extrinsic motivation may alter attention processes, which in turn affect what is learned or, at least, to a different kind of learning. Extrinsic motivation may alter attention processes, which in turn affect what is learned. Alternatively, extrinsic motivation may simply teach a series of responses that are not based on an understanding of the task. Intrinsic motivation seems to be tied to the motivation to process information. A person who is free from constraints is inclined to learn about relations between elements in a given situation. Such learning can not only facilitate later problem solving but also breed intrinsic motivation. Critiques of the studies on extrinsic reward and learning have pointed out that rewards do not lead to decrements in performance if they are contingent on the desired behavior. Individuals high in achievement motivation are more inclined to select difficult tasks when evaluation is external.