Dissertation Defenses

Doctoral Dissertation Announcement

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Candidate: Julie M. Slowiak

Degree of: Doctor of Philosophy

Department: Psychology

Title: Self-solicited Feedback: Effects of Hourly Pay and Individual Monetary Incentive Pay

Committee:
Dr. Alyce M. Dickinson, Chair
Dr. Bradley E. Huitema
Dr. Heather M. McGee
Dr. Kevin J. Munson

Date: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
3715 Wood Hall

Abstract:
The frequency of feedback solicitation under hourly pay and individual monetary incentive pay conditions was examined. A two-group between-subjects design was used with 30 college students in each group. Participants attended three experimental sessions and entered the cash value of simulated bank checks presented on a computer screen. Results indicated that (a) participants who were paid individual monetary incentives did not self-solicit feedback more often than those who were paid an hourly wage, (b) feedback solicitation was not related to individual differences in levels of competition with one’s self or competition with others, (c) task performance was higher for individuals who were paid monetary incentives, and (d) task performance was not related to feedback solicitation. These results suggest that self-solicited feedback did not function as a conditioned reinforcer and that monetary incentives served as functional rewards engendering higher performance. These results also support the contention that it may be necessary to pair objective feedback with an evaluative component in order to enhance performance. Recommendations are provided for future research evaluating the factors that may influence self-solicited feedback, as well as factors that may enhance the effectiveness of this type of feedback.