It's the small things: Treating something as even slightly significant affects motivation

In a study published in Psychological Science, researchers found that even minor significance, such as saving artwork, significantly impacts motivation in both children and adults. The need for meaning is considered fundamental, not just a concern for some people later in life. In one experiment, participants were shown puzzle pieces and could create shapes that either remained in a box or were shredded.

Both age groups preferred the game when their shapes were saved rather than destroyed. Another study showed that adults and older children didn't bother creating shapes when their art would be trashed. The findings suggest that even minimal significance helps people feel more motivated. Participants were also more willing to pay to play the game if their shapes were saved, but watching someone else create a shape reduced their willingness to give up a sticker.

However, enjoyment alone did not fully compensate for the absence of significance in activities like building sandcastles. The researchers believe that both the fate of the outcome and the process of the activity affect our behavior. They hope their work highlights the foundational importance of significance in people's lives, not just as a luxury concern for some.