Blog Entry #2

    As I have gone through high school and off to college, I have gained a greater self-concept about myself.  I have learned that I am an independent person but enjoys being around people.  I have become self-aware that I am a very determined individual who will work hard to achieve what I want to achieve.  I still have learning that I have to do about myself, once I graduate college and start working in the "real world."  I believe that my self-concept may never be complete.  Throughout my life I am going to learn more and more about myself through others and simply through introspection.  Examining my thoughts and feelings as I continue to go through life will give me insight into the type of person I am.      
    As a psychology major, we all know that you have to participate in research studies for various classes.  I had to participate in some for gpsyc, sensation and perception, and research methods.  When you participate in them, (the "tasks") the researcher is not "grading" you on how well you are completing the task, they just need the data for their experiment.  Participating in these studies for class credit, regardless of how well you do, is an example of task-contingent rewards.  On the other hand, I used to run cross country in high school and we would race every week.  If you ran well, and came in the top 10% of the race, you would receive a medal.  This is an example of performance-contingent reward.  Run well-->receive medal.  I believe that both of these types of rewards are a successful way to have others complete tasks, one is usually more appropriate in situations than the other.