Enhancing Emotion, Motivation, and Performance in Routine Procedural Tasks through Autonomy-Supportive Instructions: An Experimental Study

In many work contexts, procedural tasks are often communicated through lengthy procedural instructions. Previous research suggests that such lengthy instructions can backfire, reducing employee motivation, causing irritation, and hindering performance. Inspired by research in Self-Determination Theory and computer-based instructional design, this experimental laboratory study (N = 93 students; Mage = 19.35 years), which included a control group with long instructions and two experimental groups, sought to determine the effectiveness of two measures to counteract the costs associated with long instructions. These experimental groups were, first, the use of short instructions and, second, the provision of long instructions through user choice. Results showed that both countermeasures reduced reactance and improved accuracy compared to long instructions. While user choice instructions additionally reduced irritation and boredom compared to the other two conditions, the provision of short instructions produced lower productivity compared to the other two conditions. Finally, the mediation model revealed that autonomy need satisfaction accounted for the benefits of user choice on identified motivation and boredom. Theoretical and practical implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.在诸多工作场景中，流程类任务通常依托冗长的流程说明进行传达。既往研究表明，此类冗长的流程说明可能适得其反：会削弱员工工作动机、引发烦躁情绪，并阻碍任务绩效表现。本实验室实验研究受自我决定理论（Self-Determination Theory）与计算机辅助教学设计领域研究的启发，共招募93名学生作为被试（平均年龄Mage=19.35岁），设置了包含冗长说明组的对照组与两个实验组，旨在探究两种可抵消冗长流程说明负面影响的干预措施的有效性。两个实验组分别采用：其一为简短流程说明，其二为允许用户自主选择的冗长流程说明。结果表明，与冗长说明组相比，两种干预手段均有效降低了心理抗拒水平，并提升了任务完成准确率。相较于其余两组实验条件，允许用户自主选择的说明组还进一步降低了被试的烦躁情绪与倦怠感；但采用简短说明的组别，其任务产出率却低于另外两组。最后，中介模型分析结果显示，自主需求满足度可解释用户自主选择式说明对认同型动机与倦怠感的积极影响。本研究最后讨论了其理论与实践价值，并对未来研究方向提出了建议。