Etkin, J. (2016). The hidden cost of personal quantification. Journal of consumer research, 42(6), 967-984.

Question 1

background

Answer 1

• Personal quantification is increasingly prevalent, but its impact on consumers is not well understood.
• External incentives can undermine intrinsic motivation, and measurement may have similar effects.

Question 2

methods:

Answer 2

• Six experiments were conducted across various activities like coloring, walking, and reading.
• Participants were assigned to measurement and control conditions.
• Some experiments included framing conditions (fun, work, control).

Question 3

key findings:

Answer 3

• Measurement increased output but decreased enjoyment and continued engagement.
• Tracking made enjoyable activities feel more like work, undermining intrinsic motivation.
• Framing activities as work-like attenuated measurement’s negative effects on enjoyment.
• Optional measurement produced similar effects when participants chose to view it.

Question 4

implications:

Answer 4

• Personal quantification tools may have unintended negative consequences for long-term motivation.
• Findings contribute to understanding how extrinsic factors impact intrinsic processes.
• Results have important implications for the use of measurement in behavior change interventions.