Which theory posits that external rewards can diminish intrinsic motivation?

Cognitive evaluation theory specifically addresses the impact of external rewards on intrinsic motivation. This theory suggests that when individuals are offered external incentives—such as money, prizes, or other rewards—for undertaking an activity that they originally find intrinsically rewarding, their inherent enjoyment and motivation for that activity can decrease.

The rationale behind this is that external rewards can shift the focus from the enjoyment of the task itself to the reward that is contingent upon completing the task. As a result, individuals may start to engage in the activity more for the reward than for their personal satisfaction, which can ultimately undermine their intrinsic motivation. This theory has significant implications in settings such as education and the workplace, where fostering intrinsic motivation is often more beneficial for long-term engagement and creativity.

The other theories mentioned do not specifically address the relationship between external rewards and intrinsic motivation in the same way. Maslow's hierarchy of needs focuses on a broader spectrum of human needs and motivations, Goal-setting theory targets the efficacy of specific, measurable goals to enhance performance, and Social-learning theory emphasizes the role of observational learning and modeling rather than the impact of external rewards on intrinsic motivation.