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Reply to ‘Mere algorithms can be demotivating’

Nature Reviews Psychology volume 1, page 683 (2022)Cite this article

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Karumathil and Tripathi provide a critical commentary (Mere algorithms can be demotivating. Nat. Rev. Psychol. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44159-022-00112-5 (2022))1 on our article on self-determination theory and the future of work (Understanding and shaping the future of work with self-determination theory. Nat Rev Psychol. 1, 378–392 (2022))2. Their critique centres around our statement that algorithms themselves do not shape workers’ motivation, but it is rather how they are designed and used that matters.

As mentioned by Karumathil and Tripathi, algorithms are designed by humans, who decide on their structure and parameters and provide the training data. In principle, algorithms can correct themselves through the collection of more data over time, with or without human intervention. In our article we focused on algorithm design, highlighting the role of technology designers in influencing user motivation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Future of Work Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia

    Marylène Gagné, Patrick D. Dunlop & Sharon K. Parker

  2. Department of Human Resources Management, HEC Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada

    Xavier Parent-Rocheleau

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  1. Marylène Gagné
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  2. Xavier Parent-Rocheleau
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  4. Sharon K. Parker
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Correspondence to Marylène Gagné.

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Gagné, M., Parent-Rocheleau, X., Dunlop, P.D. et al. Reply to ‘Mere algorithms can be demotivating’. Nat Rev Psychol 1, 683 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44159-022-00113-4

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