Work

Progressing From Programmatic to Discovery Research: a Case Example With the Overjustification Effect

Year: 2003

Type: article

Abstract: Scientific research progresses along planned (programmatic research) and unplanned (discovery research) paths. In the current investigation, we attempted to conduct a single-case evaluation of the overjustification effect (i.e., programmatic research). Results of the initial analysis were contrary to the overjustification hypothesis in that removal of the reward contingency produced an increase in responding. Based on this unexpected finding, we conducted subsequent analyses to further evaluate the mechanisms underlying these results (i.e., discovery research). Results of the additional analyses suggested that the reward contingency functioned as punishment (because the participant preferred the task to the rewards) and that withdrawal of the contingency produced punishment contrast.

Source: Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis

DOI: 10.1901/jaba.2003.36-35

Authors: Henry S. Roane, Wayne W. Fisher, Erin M. McDonough

Institutions: Emory University, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

Language: English

Topic: Behavioral and Psychological Studies

Subfield: Developmental and Educational Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: bronze