Progressing from programmatic to discovery research: a case example with the overjustification effect.
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.
Marcus and Kennedy Krieger Institutes, Emory University School Of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30329, USA.
Henry S
HS
Roane
Wayne W
WW
Fisher
Erin M
EM
McDonough
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000293:Adolescent; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002755:Choice Behavior; D004193:Discrimination Learning; D004495:Education of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011678:Punishment; D012055:Reinforcement Schedule; D012107:Research Design