What does the Overjustification Effect refer to in motivation psychology?

The Overjustification Effect refers to a situation where an individual’s intrinsic motivation—driven by personal interest and enjoyment in the activity—diminishes due to the introduction of extrinsic rewards such as money or praise. When someone is rewarded for doing something they already enjoy, they may begin to perceive the motivation for engaging in the activity as being tied to the external reward rather than their own internal interests. This shift can lead to a reduction in the overall enjoyment of the activity, as the individual may feel that they are now doing it solely for the reward, thus underestimating or diminishing their intrinsic motivation.

This concept is particularly significant in understanding how external incentives can sometimes backfire, reducing the natural enthusiasm one might have for an activity. The essence of this phenomenon highlights the delicate balance between intrinsic and extrinsic motivations and provides insight into effective motivational strategies in educational and professional settings.