Deci (1975) proposed a “Cognitive Evaluation Theory” after examining the effects of extrinsic rewards on intrinsic task motivation. The author is inclined to criticize two main points in such theory i. e. the causal relationship between factors and the feeling of competence; while discussing other things, the author at last proposed a “Self Evaluative Motivation (SEM) Model” as a new human motivation theory. The framework of this model was presented in TABLE 1. The features: (1) the factors of cognitive, feeling, motivation, and behavior levels were hypothesized and (2) they were found to have the causal relationship. The purpose of this study was to examine the SEM model using the method of self-report (Experiment 1) and behavior in a free task choice (Experiment 2).
In the first experiment, the self-reports of language reward group and the token reward group were compared. The results indicated that the hypotheses of the SEM model were supported except the factor of a need for self-determination on the motivation level. In the second experiment, the factors of behavior level on the SEM model by the method of free task choice supported the hypotheses of the factors on behavior level. Therefore, the two experiments supported the SEM model. Finally, some problems of the SEM model were discussed.