Cross-task generalization of intrinsic motivation effects.

Two experiments examined the hypothesis that prior autonomy-supporting and externally-controlling experiences can affect reactions to new activities. In Experiment 1, adult participants received self-determining (i.e., autonomy-supporting) pretreatment experience, an externallycontrolling pretreatment, or no pretreatment experience with an initial activity and then received an expected task-contingent reward or an unexpected reward after engaging in a new activity. In Experiment 2, adult participants received high competency feedback (i.e., autonomysupporting) or average competency feedback following performance of an initial activity, and then received an expected or unexpected reward after engaging in a new activity. The studies showed that initial autonomy-supporting experiences led to heightened intrinsic motivation to pursue new activities, whereas initial externally-controlling experiences produced relatively lower intrinsic motivation to engage in the new activities. As well, participants' experiences with prior activities interacted with subsequent reward variations to affect their reactions to new activities. Significant interaction effects in the two studies showed that prior autonomy-supporting experiences averted negative motivational effects of expected rewards on new activities, whereas prior externally-controlling experiences suppressed subsequent intrinsic motivation even when reward contingencies were not imposed on the new activities.