Lepper

Lepper refers to Mark Lepper, a psychologist known for studying motivation, especially intrinsic motivation—the natural drive to do something because it is interesting or enjoyable. His research often explored how external rewards or punishments influence people's internal motivation. For example, Lepper found that offering rewards for activities people already enjoy can sometimes decrease their intrinsic interest in those activities, a phenomenon called the "overjustification effect." His work helps explain how external incentives can impact naturally motivated behavior, emphasizing the importance of intrinsic interest for sustained engagement and satisfaction.