Preference for work over “freeloading” in children

Abstract

White and American Indian children were tested in a choice situation where marbles could be obtained free or by barpressing. Results show that children prefer to obtain marbles by barpressing and that this preference is not affected by sex, IQ, or need-achievement of the children. The results are taken as an evidence of the limitation of drive theory, and an explanation is offered in terms of a competence motive. © 1971, Psychonomic Journals, Inc.. All rights reserved.