Reward, Intrinsic Motivation and Creativity
Article Reviewed: Hennessey B, Amabile T. Reward/Reality, Intrinsic Motivation and Creativity. American Psychologist. June 1998:674.
Hypothetical Conversation on Creativity, Reward and Motivation.
By Senior Editors Emily Hardy & Tim Ogletree
Imagine this…
INT. COFFEE SHOP – DAY
Robert Eisenberger sits alone, taking up a table for four. He hunches over his laptop with frustration riddling his face. Beth Hennessey and Teresa Amabile enter through a side door and get in line. Eisenberger notices them and waves.
EISENBERGER
Beth! Teresa!
BETH
Oh, hey there Robert. How are you?
EISENBERGER
I’m doing well, thank you.
TERESA
Are you working on something?
EISENBERGER
Yes, actually. My associate Judy Cameron and I have just recently wrapped up an experiment on the psychology of creativity. I’m just organizing our report.
TERESA
Wow, what theory were you testing?
EISENBERGER
Well, the experiments themselves were based on our argument that creativity and originality can be heightened by the suggestion of a reward or encouragement. It could also be termed Intellectual Property. Although, we can’t take total credit for the idea. Rewarding creativity and innovative ideas can be dated back to 400 BC.
BETH
Interesting. What types of activities or tasks did you have your subjects perform?
EISENBERGER
We divided our subjects into three age groups, then gave each group a separate activity, such as filling in a circle, or generating a word, and told them that the best of each group would receive a small prize.
Would you like to sit down? Nobody’s with me.
BETH
Of course, thanks.
Beth and Teresa take their seats opposite Eisenberger.
TERESA
So, what did you find?
EISENBERGER
Our results as a whole backed up our theory.
BETH
I don’t mean to come down on your work, but don’t those seem like relatively simple tasks?
EISENBERGER
Well…
BETH
I mean, did you test anything that required a more advanced form of creativity, such as art or storytelling? Music or song writing? Your tests just seem a little too basic.
TERESA
I agree. Honestly, I don’t believe that you can bribe or convince someone to be creative. Creativity needs to be intrinsic, it needs to be something from the heart, something desired.
EISENBERGER
Well, offering a reward can stimulate a desire for creativity and originality. It gives them something to look forward to and makes them work harder for what they desire.
TERESA
But that’s exactly it, they are desiring the reward, not creativity itself.
EISENBERGER
Well, you can’t argue that rewards never positively influence creativity.
BETH
Oh, we aren’t. We agree with that.
There will naturally be some instances where a certain reward or form of congratulations will enhance a simpler form of creativity.
TERESA
We are simply saying that working repeatedly for a reward under common or every day circumstances can be detrimental to both intrinsic motivation as well as creativity. For example, if a teacher were to constantly offer their students rewards or prizes for who can draw the best dragon, then they aren’t drawing for drawing’s sake. They are solely drawing for the prize, whether it’s a cookie or an A or what have you.
EISENBERGER
You drive a convincing argument, I must admit. I’ll have to share your views with Cameron. But, unfortunately I have a meeting at 3, so I should get going. It was great seeing you both again.
BETH
Certainly, we enjoyed the chat.
TERESA
Yes, thanks for your company. Have a good meeting!
EISENBERGER
Oh, abstract experimental funding, it should be a blast.
Have a good day!
TERESA AND BETH
Ciao.
BETH
Interesting guy, isn’t he?
END SCENE.
This makes a lot of sense to me. At one time, I made the switch from fine art to commercial art (which used to be called the servile arts). Whereas fine art is a process where the end result organically emerges. Commercial art is goal driven. The trade has a name for an illustrator is a “wrist.” I wasn’t any good at being a commercial illustrator because instead of allowing myself the process of drawing, I was rushing to finish a preconceived idea. This made my drawings rigid. Some people of course are very good at this skill. But we are a goal-driven society, not a process oriented one. The liberal arts are self referential. In other words, they are their own reward. I would say we learn how to enjoy and appreciate through the liberal arts, and but the goal of other forms of education are to produce commercial value. That may not be enjoyable. But the financial reward is believed to provide enjoyment and happiness. What often happens is that when the financial goal is achieved happiness seems elusive because learning to enjoy was never addressed.