The effects of rewards on intrinsic motivation of exercisers and nonexercisers
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of rewards on the
intrinsic motivation of exercisers (E) and nonexercisers
(NE). Furthermore, this study investigated the effects of
fitness testing on the intrinsic motivation of E and NE. 73
female volunteers completed 2 fitness tests and the
Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI). The IMI is an
instrument that divides intrinsic motivation into 4
subscales; interest-enjoyment (IE), perceived competence
(PC), effort-importance (EI), and pressure-tension (PT).
The subjects were classified as E and NE and subsequently
randomly divided into reward and no reward groups. A 2 (E,
NE) X 2 (reward, no reward) ANOVA revealed that there was no
significant difference between the reward and no reward
groups on any subscale (F = -53; p 1 .05). However, there
was a significant difference between the E and NE on 3 (IE,
PC, and PT) of the 4 subscales (F = 23.72; p I .001). No
interaction effect was revealed for the E and reward groups.
These data point to the fact the E and NE are intrinsically
motivated differently. Because perceived competence can
effect intrinsic motivation, education and familiarity may
be important factors when using fitness tests to motivate
NE .
Subject
Reward (Psychology)
Intrinsic motivation
Exercise for women - Psychological aspects