This investigation examined the effects of extrinsic rewards and goals on interest and performance. Two conditions of reward (present, absent) and three goal conditions (assigned, self-set, and absent) were used in conjunction with an interesting task. 48 undergraduates completed a series of mazes during a 30-min. work period and were then given 10 min. of “free time.” Neither the goal nor reward conditions affected how many mazes were completed during the break or subject's responses to 30 attitudinal items. However, while only four attitudinal items were related to the number of mazes completed in the work period, 10 were related to the number completed during the break.
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