Psychol Bull November 1999 PMID 10589297

A meta-analytic review of experiments examining the effects of extrinsic rewards on intrinsic motivation.

E L Deci, R Koestner, R M Ryan

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Mentions

74
Peak: 3 in Nov 2022
across 5 sources since Dec 2020

Extended reach

135,804
potential audience

Total likes

63

Video views

2,009

Mentions per month

Dec 2020 – Nov 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News46 articles
  • X / Twitter9 posts
  • Blogs9 articles
  • Facebook8 posts
  • YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions reflect an overall agreement on the demotivating effects of tangible rewards, as exemplified by statements like 'extrinsic rewards undermine intrinsic motivation' and observations that 'play-to-earn games' are less fun. The tone varies from straightforward acknowledgment to nuanced considerations of different reward types, indicating strong interest and recognition of the study's practical relevance.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions recognize and support the core findings that extrinsic rewards tend to undermine intrinsic motivation, with several explicitly citing the meta-analysis results.

InterestHigh interest

The discussions demonstrate high interest, with contributors engaging deeply on the implications and specifics of how rewards influence motivation.

EngagementModerate engagement

While some posts provide direct references and detailed reflections on methodology, the overall level of detailed analysis suggests moderate engagement rather than deep scholarly debate.

ImpactHigh impact

The conversations emphasize the significance of these findings for practical applications, such as game design and motivational strategies, highlighting their high impact.

Abstract in brief

  • This meta-analysis of 128 studies found that extrinsic rewards like engagement, completion, and performance-based rewards generally decrease intrinsic motivation, especially in terms of free-choice behavior and self-reported interest, with tangible rewards being more harmful to children than adults.
  • Positive feedback tends to boost intrinsic motivation and free-choice behavior, though tangible and verbal rewards can have differing effects depending on the age group.
  • The authors compare their findings with four earlier meta-analyses, highlighting how their methods and results differ, emphasizing the nuanced impact of various types of rewards on motivation.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Robin Hanson
@robinhanson · X

"meta-analysis of 128 studies [on] effects of extrinsic rewards on intrinsic motivation … engagement-, completion-, & performance-contingent rewards… undermined free-choice intrinsic motivation, as did all rewards, all tangible … & all expected rewards" https://t.co/wMJiOaJxje

Nov 3, 2022 · 14 likes · 2 shares · 115,842 followers View post →
AP Teacher
@AP_Teaching · X

@RogersHistory Absolutely, but by putting the carrot and stick (overly structured extrinsic sanction and rewards) that is the reality we create (A Meta-Analytic Review of Experiments Examining the Effects of Extrinsic Rewards on Intrinsic Motivation, Deci, Koestner, Ryan (1999))

Aug 3, 2024 · 4 likes · 550 followers View post →
Learning from Excellence
@LfEcommunity · X

Many studies show that extrinsic REWARDS are demotivating. Important not to confuse appreciation and direct positive feedback with tangible rewards. https://t.co/Fdn8ga1UgD

Feb 18, 2021 · 1 like · 1 share · 7,315 followers View post →
Paul Dorra
@PaulDorra · X

@johncutlefish The closest one I found "As predicted, [...] rewards significantly undermined free-choice intrinsic motivation [...], as did all rewards, all tangible rewards, and all expected rewards." https://t.co/lH1g2ZKChd

Jul 20, 2022 · 1 like · 65 followers View post →
SystematicReviewBot
@EvidenceRobot · X

RT @robinhanson: "meta-analysis of 128 studies [on] effects of extrinsic rewards on intrinsic motivation … engagement-, completion-, & perf…

Nov 3, 2022 · 2 shares · 6,687 followers View post →
R.Dal
@ryandal · X

RT @robinhanson: "meta-analysis of 128 studies [on] effects of extrinsic rewards on intrinsic motivation … engagement-, completion-, & perf…

Nov 4, 2022 · 2 shares · 2,157 followers View post →

All mentions

AP Teacher
@AP_Teaching · X

@RogersHistory Absolutely, but by putting the carrot and stick (overly structured extrinsic sanction and rewards) that is the reality we create (A Meta-Analytic Review of Experiments Examining the Effects of Extrinsic Rewards on Intrinsic Motivation, Deci, Koestner, Ryan (1999))

Aug 3, 2024 · 4 likes · 550 followers View post →
Adam Moore
@morningstar2651 · X

@alexisohanian Extrinsic rewards (playing to earn) undermine a player's intrinsic motivation (playing to have fun). Play-to-earn games have a fundamental flaw that makes them worse than other games. Did you ever PLAY Entropia or Axie? They aren't fun games. https://t.co/TDP7vkBRlp

May 31, 2023 · 614 followers View post →
R.Dal
@ryandal · X

RT @robinhanson: "meta-analysis of 128 studies [on] effects of extrinsic rewards on intrinsic motivation … engagement-, completion-, & perf…

Nov 4, 2022 · 2 shares · 2,157 followers View post →
SystematicReviewBot
@EvidenceRobot · X

RT @robinhanson: "meta-analysis of 128 studies [on] effects of extrinsic rewards on intrinsic motivation … engagement-, completion-, & perf…

Nov 3, 2022 · 2 shares · 6,687 followers View post →
Robin Hanson
@robinhanson · X

"meta-analysis of 128 studies [on] effects of extrinsic rewards on intrinsic motivation … engagement-, completion-, & performance-contingent rewards… undermined free-choice intrinsic motivation, as did all rewards, all tangible … & all expected rewards" https://t.co/wMJiOaJxje

Nov 3, 2022 · 14 likes · 2 shares · 115,842 followers View post →
Paul Dorra
@PaulDorra · X

@johncutlefish The closest one I found "As predicted, [...] rewards significantly undermined free-choice intrinsic motivation [...], as did all rewards, all tangible rewards, and all expected rewards." https://t.co/lH1g2ZKChd

Jul 20, 2022 · 1 like · 65 followers View post →
Olivia Hartrick
@HartrickOlivia · X

RT @LfEcommunity: Many studies show that extrinsic REWARDS are demotivating. Important not to confuse appreciation and direct positive f…

Feb 25, 2021 · 1 share · 138 followers View post →
Learning from Excellence
@LfEcommunity · X

Many studies show that extrinsic REWARDS are demotivating. Important not to confuse appreciation and direct positive feedback with tangible rewards. https://t.co/Fdn8ga1UgD

Feb 18, 2021 · 1 like · 1 share · 7,315 followers View post →
International Bulletin of Political Psychology
@IBPP3 · X

@SPSSI For different types of person-situation interactions, being paid to engage in a behavior can affect intrinsic-extrinsic motivation/perceived degree of risk-attractiveness often working at cross purposes. Mitigates against one-size-fits-all policy. See https://t.co/ie6QcobfNR https://t.co/em6zmzaEf7

Dec 25, 2020 · 412 followers View post →