Question

Extrinsic reward for a task may shift employees from

a. high performance to higher performance.
b. linking performance to appropriate rewards.
c. perceiving the work task to be of less importance than others.
d. linking employee recognition to organizational goals.
e. intrinsic motivation to extrinsic motivation

Answer 1

Extrinsic rewards, especially when expected, can lead to a shift from intrinsic to extrinsic motivation, known as the overjustification effect. However, unexpected rewards and praise could maintain or even enhance intrinsic motivation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question addresses the impact of extrinsic rewards on employee motivation, particularly how such rewards may transition an individual from intrinsic to extrinsic motivation. Extrinsic rewards such as money can potentially have negative effects on intrinsic motivation, especially when the reward is expected. In contrast, unexpected extrinsic motivators might not reduce intrinsic motivation to the same extent. However, verbal reinforcements like praise can sometimes enhance intrinsic motivation. It is important to understand the nature of the task and the type of reward when determining how to motivate employees effectively.

One phenomenon to consider is the overjustification effect, where the introduction of extrinsic rewards can decrease intrinsic motivation. This might occur when activities someone enjoys become reclassified as work due to extrinsic reinforcement, thereby changing their motivation and potentially leading to a reliance on extrinsic rewards for continued performance.