When Linda was a child, her friends at school all earned a lot of ...

[futuristic]

When Linda was a child, her friends at school all earned a lot of money if their grades were good. Linda went to her parents and asked that she be given money for good report cards. Her parents agreed.
 
  She would earn a nickel for every A and a dollar if she earned all A's. Her friends, of course, were offered much more money for good grades. Using the overjustification effect, explain why Linda's parents might have offered her such meager monetary rewards for academic success.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

There is evidence that suggests that there are cultural differences in how people view themselves.
 
  Describe, using an example, how people from collectivist cultures tend to view themselves, and how people from individualist cultures tend to view themselves.
  What will be an ideal response?

[ong527]

Answer to Question 1

Answer: Self-perception theory posits that when we are unsure of our attitudes, we look to our own behaviors and to the environment to decide how we feel. This example is a special case of working to increase intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation to learn and excel. Linda's parents were careful not to provide excessive external rewards; such rewards might convince Linda that the reason she was working hard in school was to earn money. In other words, they were avoiding the overjustification effect by which extrinsic motivators overpower the potential for intrinsic motivation. Instead, they provided such meager rewards so that Linda would come to believe that she worked hard in school because she liked it and viewed it as worthwhile; in other words, she would become intrinsically motivated to succeed.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: People from collectivist cultures tend to have a more interdependent sense of self. For example, they see themselves in terms of their relationships, and make decisions based on what is best for these relationships. A specific example would be deciding to become a physician to bring esteem and honor to your family rather than pursuing a career as a musician, which you may personally desire, but would not benefit your family as much. People from individualist cultures tend to have an independent sense of self. They see themselves in terms of their own personal goals and beliefs. An example of this sense of self would be the decision to marry someone you love, even if your family does not approve. You would be basing your decision on what you want, rather than what that may mean for your relationships with others.