AP Psychology Practice Test 2026 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The overjustification effect describes a phenomenon in which the introduction of external rewards for an activity that is already intrinsically rewarding can lead to a decrease in a person's intrinsic interest in that activity. When individuals are rewarded externally, they may begin to view the reward as the primary reason for their engagement in the task, overshadowing their intrinsic motivation. This shift in perception can diminish their natural enjoyment or interest in the task itself.

In contrast, the other options convey different concepts related to motivation. For instance, simply increasing intrinsic motivation in response to a reward does not align with the overjustification effect, as it suggests rewards enhance motivation rather than detract from it. The idea of a decreased interest in a task after being promised a reward is related, but it is not comprehensive enough to capture the change in perception that occurs with overjustification. Lastly, the notion that performance improves with increased rewards is a valid point regarding motivation but does not encapsulate the adverse effects on intrinsic motivation tied to the overjustification effect.