TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2012//
TI  - Effects of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation on attention and memory
JO  - Acta psychologica
A1  - Robinson, Lucy J.
A1  - Stevens, Lucy H.
A1  - Threapleton, Christopher J. D.
A1  - Vainiute, Jurgita
A1  - McAllister-Williams, R. Hamish
A1  - Gallagher, Peter
SP  - 243
EP  - 249
VL  - 141
IS  - 2
N2  - It is well recognised that motivational factors can influence neuropsychological performance. The aim of this study was to explore individual differences in intrinsic motivation and reward-seeking and the effect of these on attentional and mnemonic processes, in the presence or absence of financial incentives. Forty participants (18-35years) completed two testing sessions where the Attentional Network Test (ANT) and the Newcastle Spatial Memory Test (NSMT) were administered. After a baseline assessment, participants were re-tested after randomisation to a non-motivated (control) group or to a motivated group, where payment was contingent upon performance. Performance in the motivated group was significantly improved compared to the control group on the NSMT (condition by session; F(1,33)=4.52, p=0.041) and the ANT, with participants increasing performance to cued presentations within the alerting network (F(1,36)=5.48, p=0.025) and being less distracted by incongruent stimuli in the executive control network (F(1,36)=6.74, p=0.014). There were significant negative correlations between the 'Interest/ Enjoyment' Intrinsic Motivation Inventory subscale and both NSMT between-search errors and ANT(alerting). In the motivated group, those who had higher self-reported internal motivation were less susceptible to- or affected by- the external motivation of financial incentive. The effects of motivational factors should not be overlooked when interpreting absolute levels of performance in neuropsychological processes.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0001-6918
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2012.05.012
ID  - ref1
ER  -