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This version was published on June 1, 2007
Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, Vol. 33, No. 6, 828-841 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/0146167207301020
© 2007 Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Inc.

Psychological Mechanisms Underlying the Köhler Motivation Gain

Norbert L. Kerr

Michigan State University, kerr{at}msu.edu

Lawrence A. Messé

Michigan State University

Dong-Heon Seok

Michigan State University

Eric J. Sambolec

Ithaca College

Robert B. Lount, Jr

Northwestern University

Ernest S. Park

Cleveland State University

Sometimes group work conditions lead to motivation gains rather than to social loafing. Two theoretical explanations for the Köhler motivation gain effect are identified, one stressing social comparison and a second stressing the indispensability of one's effort to the group. The results of three new experiments are reported. Experiment 1 suggested that both explanations are valid and contribute to the Köhler effect. Prior studies suggested that there might be gender differences in the relative importance of these two explanatory processes. Experiment 2 confirmed this suggestion. In Experiment 3, the gender difference was eliminated by priming women with a goal (viz., competition) presumed to be chronically more important to men. It is argued that the relative importance of these two motivational processes will depend on the immediate and chronic importance attached to more personal (viz., to achieve a favorable social comparison) versus collective (viz., to contribute to one's group) goals.

Key Words: groups • performance • motivation gain • indispensability • social comparison


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