The overjustification effect occurs when an external incentive such as money or prizes decreases a person’s intrinsic motivation to perform a task. According to self-perception theory, people pay more attention to the incentive, and less attention to the enjoyment and satisfaction that they receive from performing the activity. The overall effect is a shift in motivation to extrinsic factors and the undermining of pre-existing intrinsic motivation.
In this case, the reward is status. It’s important to note that the person must anticipate the reward, though. People might explicitly seek status, but subconsciously seeking status might provide enough anticipation to create the effect.
I am taking Eliezer’s definition of “stupidity” to mean increased incompetence in the field wherein the person gained status. In their field, we would expect high competence. Decreased competence in their field would come about from diminished interest in that field, from the overjustification effect.
I think the overjustification effect might be at play.
In this case, the reward is status. It’s important to note that the person must anticipate the reward, though. People might explicitly seek status, but subconsciously seeking status might provide enough anticipation to create the effect.
I am taking Eliezer’s definition of “stupidity” to mean increased incompetence in the field wherein the person gained status. In their field, we would expect high competence. Decreased competence in their field would come about from diminished interest in that field, from the overjustification effect.