Does pay for performance increase or decrease perceived self-determinationand intrinsic motivation?

Laboratory and field studies examined the relationships of reward for high performance with perceived self-determination and intrinsic motivation. Stu dy 1 found that pay for meeting a performance standard had positive effects on college students' perceived self-determination and competence, expresse d task enjoyment, and free time spent performing the task Furthermore, rewa rd's incremental effect on expressed task enjoyment was mediated by perceiv ed self-determination and competence. Study 2 established that perceived se lf-determination mediated positive relationships between employees' perform ance-reward expectancy and perceived organizational support. positive mood at work, and job performance. Study 3 demonstrated that performance-reward expectancy was positively related to employees' expressed interest in daily job activities, with this relationship being greater among employees' havi ng a high desire for control.