Smit, Nicole Gerritje (2025) The Moderating Role of Self-Efficacy in the Relationship Between Task Complexity and Intrinsic Motivation. Bachelor thesis, Psychology.
![]() |
Text
BachelorThesisS5153514NicoleSmitGr18KellerManchev-1.pdf Restricted to Repository staff only Download (686kB) |
Abstract
Organizations strive to optimize employee motivation for increased productivity and employee well-being to compete in the current business climate. To contribute knowledge to this subject, this thesis investigated the relationship between task complexity and intrinsic motivation. Furthermore, it examined the moderating role of self-efficacy in this relationship. It is hypothesized that high perceived self-efficacy in employees enhances the positive relationship between task complexity and intrinsic motivation. To test this, a cross-sectional design employed a questionnaire among 172 working adults. Contrary to expectations, a significant negative relationship was found between task complexity and intrinsic motivation. This unexpected finding suggests that, in this sample, high task complexity may have exceeded the optimal challenge level. This could potentially result in feelings of overload and decreased intrinsic motivation. Furthermore, self-efficacy did not moderate this relationship. These results highlight that the relationship between task complexity and motivation is not a simple, positive linear one. Additionally, the moderating role of self-efficacy might not be without confounding variables. Future research should therefore employ longitudinal designs and more complex analytic approaches to further examine the relationship of complex tasks and intrinsic motivation while accounting for the influence of environmental contextual factors and available resources on this relationship.
Item Type: | Thesis (Bachelor) |
---|---|
Supervisor name: | Keller, A.C. |
Degree programme: | Psychology |
Differentiation route: | None [Bachelor Psychology] |
Date Deposited: | 21 Feb 2025 12:56 |
Last Modified: | 21 Feb 2025 12:56 |
URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/4691 |
Actions (login required)
![]() |
View Item |