Freedom from External Evaluation

MAEHR, MARTIN L., and STALLINGS, WILLIAM M. Freedom from External Evaluation. CHILD DEVELOPMENT, 1972, 43, 177-185. 2 studies were conducted in which the effects of internal and external evaluation on performand motivation were considered. A major finding was that Ss showed a continued interest in difficult tasks if they had worked on them under internal conditions. The continued interest in difficult tasks was apparently lessened by the external conditions. This effect was noted particularly in the case of high need achievement boys. Differences in performance levels under the 2 conditions were inconsistent, leading to the conclusion that the effect of the evaluation conditions on immediate performance may not be as profound and pervasive as common sense might suggest. Implications for theory as well as educational practice are discussed.