Working hard but not tired? The influence of task valuation on mental fatigue, effort investment, and task performance
Working hard but not tired? The influence of task valuation on mental fatigue, effort investment, and task performance
StatusVoR
Alternative title
Authors
Wójcik, Natalia
Nęcka, Edward
Monograph
Monograph (alternative title)
Date
2023-06-10
Publisher
Journal title
Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology
Issue
3
Volume
77
Pages
Pages
656-674
ISSN
1747-0218
ISSN of series
Access date
2024-10-28
Abstract PL
Abstract EN
It has been demonstrated in previous studies that prolonged mental effort exertion evokes mental fatigue and leads to impairments in task performance. In the current investigation, we aimed to test the hypothesis that mental fatigue depends on motivational processes and can be influenced by task valuation. In two studies, we experimentally manipulated the value of the task by financial rewards (Study 1) and the sense of autonomy (Study 2). Contrary to our predictions, those manipulations did not influence the main dependent variables. We also introduced additional rewards after prolonged effort exertion. In line with our expectations, the results showed that mental fatigue increases with time spent on effortful tasks. Importantly, however, mental fatigue decreases when the value of the task rises. This effect is accompanied by stronger effort engagement and improvement in task performance. The findings support the motivational theories of mental effort and fatigue, showing that mental fatigue might serve as a signal of diminishing value of the ongoing task.
Abstract other
Keywords PL
Keywords EN
Mental effort
mental fatigue
valuation
self-control
motivation
mental fatigue
valuation
self-control
motivation
Keywords other
Exhibition title
Place of exhibition (institution)
Exhibition curator
Type
License type
Funder
Time range from
Time range to
Contact person name
Related publication
Related publication
Grant/project name
Collections
Views
49Acquisition Date4.04.2025
Downloads
8Acquisition Date4.04.2025
Altmetrics©
Dimensions
Google Scholar
