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The importance of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation for measuring IQ

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  • Borghans, Lex
  • Meijers, Huub
  • ter Weel, Bas

Abstract

This research provides an economic model of the way people behave during an IQ test. We distinguish a technology that describes how time investment improves performance from preferences that determine how much time people invest in each question. We disentangle these two elements empirically using data from a laboratory experiment. The main findings is that both intrinsic (questions that people like to work on) and extrinsic motivation (incentive payments) increase time investments and as a result performance. The presence of incentive payments seems to be more important than the size of the reward. Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation turn out to be complements.

Suggested Citation

  • Borghans, Lex & Meijers, Huub & ter Weel, Bas, 2013. "The importance of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation for measuring IQ," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 17-28.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecoedu:v:34:y:2013:i:c:p:17-28
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econedurev.2013.01.008
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Incentives; Cognitive test scores;

    JEL classification:

    • J20 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - General
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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