Using the Pavlovian to Instrumental Transfer (PIT) Paradigm to compare Motivations for earning Money for an Unknown Purpose with Motivations to earn Money for Oneself Andrea Tanke (5519985) Utrecht University First supervisor: Dr. H. Marien Second supervisor: Dr. R. Custers Date: 28-06-2019 Publicly accessible: Yes Word count:
Summary
Motivational differences between earning money for an unknown purpose and earning money
for oneself has been examined using the Pavlovian to Instrumental (PIT) paradigm. This
paradigm investigates how stimuli influence instrumental actions towards outcomes which are
dependent of the motivational state of an individual. Forty-six participants received
instrumental training where they learned the associations between two responses and the
outcomes 10 cents for a ME account or 10 cents for a STASH account. Followed by Pavlovian
Training where they learned the association between stimuli and the two outcomes 10 cents for
the ME account and 10 cents for the STASH account. Finally, the participants had the test phase
where they performed instrumental actions in the presence and absence of the conditioned
stimuli. Results have been analysed using repeated measure ANOVA. Findings indicate that
the conditioned stimuli did not affect the instrumental actions meaning that there is no PIT
effect, so there is no motivation for earning money for oneself and earning money for an
unknown purpose. Limitations of the study are the small sample group as well as the limited
financial reward. These should be addressed in future research.