Final answer:
Children who expected a reward for drawing in the Lepper et al. experiment were slightly less likely to draw, as anticipated rewards can undermine intrinsic motivation.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the experiment conducted by Lepper and colleagues (1973), the presence of an expected award for drawing resulted in children being c. slightly less likely than they would be without such expectancy to engage in the activity of drawing. This is explained by the removal of incentive, suggesting that when children anticipate an extrinsic reward, like money, their intrinsic motivation tends to diminish. Conversely, if a reward is unexpected, the intrinsic motivation persists. Hence, expected tangible rewards can negatively impact the natural drive to engage in an activity, a concept aligned with Deci et al.'s findings (1999) on how different types of reinforcements shape motivation.
This understanding is relevant to pedagogical strategies and parenting alike, as seen through the different approaches highlighted by Gladwell (2008), where children's development and encouragement from parents of various economic backgrounds can significantly influence their motivation and approach to challenges.