Investigating the effect of conditional vs hierarchical framing on motivation

Manipulating motivational factors is an effective method for increasing desired behavior and reducing problematic behavior, as well as for increasing satisfaction from desired but challenging actions. From the Relational Frame Theory (RFT) perspective, hierarchical networks of symbolic positive reinforcers are advantageous motivators as they provide intrinsic, overarching, and inexhaustible reinforcement to our actions, even when they cause some degree of distress. The current study aimed to investigate how motivation based on hierarchical versus conditional versus a mixed (hierarchical and conditional) framing impacts performance and psychological experiences in a distress tolerance task. Participants completed an anagram task, followed by the presentation of scripts relating to three separate framing conditions. Participants then proceeded to take part in an adapted PASAT-C to measure task persistence, followed by completion of self-report measures evaluating mood, self-efficacy, and experiences of task participation. A final anagram task was completed to evaluate the effect of framing condition on task performance and transfer of framing conditions across different tasks. Hierarchical and mixed groups outperformed the conditional group on measures of task performance and persistence. This effect was transferred to performance on the anagram task. Significantly increased self-efficacy, comfortableness, and willingness were observed for both the hierarchical and mixed conditions over the conditional group with the hierarchical group outperforming the mixed group. This study highlights the potential differing effects that framing tasks conditionally, hierarchically or both hierarchically and conditionally can have on motivation and task performance.