Gamification as a moderator for the impact of intrinsic motivation: Findings from a multigroup field experiment

Gamification, the application of game elements (i.e., motivational affordances) in non-game contexts, has shown a promising potential to increase individuals’ intrinsic motivation and to positively impact their attitudes and behaviors. However, few studies exist that empirically test the effectiveness of gamification applications in a controlled experimental setting. To fill this gap, we compared the results from gamified and non-gamified workshops conducted with Austrian students. A total of 384 individuals participated in this field experiment, 261 of whom were subjected to a multitude of gamified elements, while 123 served as a non-gamified control group. In the gamified context, the findings show a stronger influence of intrinsic motivation, as measured by enjoyment and curiosity, on attitude and behavioral intention, and a greater explanatory power of the model. Gamification therefore positively moderates the impact of exogenous motivational variables and amplifies the effect of intrinsic motivation.