Are Groups More Productive When Intrinsically Motivated?

Abstract

This research expands on the existing literature of the benefits of intrinsic motivation by comparing conditions with varying combinations of intrinsically-motivating factors. This experiment was conducted in the Salisbury University library and the participants were undergraduate Salisbury University students. The students who arrived on the first day were in Condition A, those on the second day were in Condition B, and those on the third day were in Condition C. The students in each condition were randomly divided into three groups. Each group in Condition A chose between three creative problems to solve together in their group. Each group in Condition B completed the same creative problem that the groups in the previous condition completed. They were unable to choose their problem, but were given a few minutes to talk and get to know each other before working together. Each group in Condition C completed the same problem that the groups in the previous conditions completed. They were unable to choose their problem and they sat in silence and wrote about their career goals before working together. After finishing their work, all participants each filled out a survey on how close they felt to their group members. During the second portion of the study, three other students judged the group work based on creativity. There was no significant difference between the work or feelings of closeness between the conditions. For future research, personality traits such as shyness and friendliness will be measured to determine if personality factors influenced the results.