What does the Over-Justification Effect refer to?

The Over-Justification Effect is a psychological phenomenon that occurs when an external incentive, such as a reward or recognition, diminishes a person's intrinsic motivation to engage in a particular activity. In this context, when individuals who are already internally motivated to perform a task receive external rewards, it can lead them to attribute their engagement in the activity to the reward rather than to their inherent interest or enjoyment. As a result, when the external incentives are removed or diminished, those individuals may become less motivated to engage in the task they once enjoyed, leading to decreased intrinsic motivation.

This concept is particularly relevant in talent development and educational settings, where understanding the balance between rewarding performance and fostering intrinsic motivation is crucial. By relying too heavily on extrinsic rewards, organizations risk undermining employees' or learners' genuine interest in their work or studies, potentially leading to disengagement over time.