Rewards can reduce the intrinsic motivation for creative tasks

Rewards can sometimes reduce intrinsic motivation for creative tasks, a phenomenon known as the overjustification effect. This happens when external rewards replace internal enjoyment, making the activity less appealing once the rewards are removed. For example, in a study by Mark Lepper, experimenters gave kids paper and crayons to draw. Some kids loved drawing and did it just for fun, showing intrinsic motivation. The experimenters then introduced rewards for drawing, acting as extrinsic motivation. Those who agreed to receive awards for their drawings displayed significantly less interest and put less effort into their drawings than those who drew for fun without expecting any reward.^[1]

This effect is a concern in gamification, especially for tasks that require creativity. While rewards can motivate, they can also shift focus away from the joy of the task itself, making creative work less appealing.