The appeal of the Fitbit is obvious; every day you are presented with facts about your daily physical performance. With this insight into our behavior, we are constantly aware of our physical health and how to improve it. Thus, step by step you reach the goal that, I think, everyone with a Fitbit strives for: a healthier and happier life. Sounds good right?

Unfortunately, it is all not as simple as described above. After all, what is actually the effect of all these measurements we face throughout the day? Does understanding our physical performance actually make us healthier and happier? The answer to this last question was answered during a recent study: no.

We can motivate ourselves well

When you watch a small child discover the world you see how well people are able to motivate themselves. Children want to learn and improve themselves while using their own talents in a dosed fashion. The positivity of human resilience is evident in this.

In the example above, the child discovering the world is intrinsically motivated. But from psychology we recognize a second form of motivation, namely: extrinsic motivation. A form of motivation that arises outside yourself. For example, think of a child completing a school assignment for a grade or the motivation to achieve a certain bonus.

Intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation

In science, there has been frequent research on both types of motivation: intrinsic motivation produces higher levels of interest in the activity, more enjoyment and higher self-confidence. In addition, intrinsic motivation ensures that we derive satisfaction from the behavior we engage in and that we can perform the behavior more often and for longer periods of time. Thus, scientists agree that intrinsic motivation is of great importance for human well-being.

The tricky thing about intrinsic motivation is that it can easily be substituted for extrinsic motivation. When we are motivated from within ourselves (intrinsically) to perform certain behaviors and suddenly an extrinsic motivation replaces it, such as a deadline or reward, the motivation will change from intrinsic to extrinsic. This change from intrinsic to extrinsic will make the behavior less satisfying and more difficult to sustain in the long run.

From fun to work

Back to the Fitbit. In his research, Etkin found in 6 different experiments that measuring activities that we basically get pleasure from (like physical exercise!) causes the activities to gradually start to feel more and more like work. Measuring our physical performance structurally undermines our intrinsic motivation to exercise and stay healthy and thus the enjoyment we get from the activities (Etkin, 2016).

We replace intrinsic motivation (e.g., I want to exercise because I want to live a healthy and happy life) with extrinsic motivation (e.g., did I achieve my goal today in the number of steps I want to walk?). With dire consequences.

6 experiments, 1 clear result

Experiments examined how long participants performed an activity and how much pleasure they derived from performing the activity. In all the experiments conducted (and in the follow-up studies), measuring behavior increased the duration of the activity, but also decreased enjoyment of the activity performed.

For example, Etkin had participants make drawings, with one group keeping track of the number of drawings made and the other not. He also had participants walk, with and without a meter that kept track of the number of steps. Remarkably, even a meter that was not on caused participants to walk more and to enjoy the experiment less.

Or in other words, measuring our own behavior causes us to externalize activities that we used to do by ourselves and with pleasure. As a result, we derive less pleasure from it and we must have (even) higher motivation in the future to perform the task again.

Should we stop measuring our behavior?

Measuring behavior has a big impact. Not only on how often we perform the activity, but also on the enjoyment we get out of it. But does this mean we should stop measuring our behavior? Of course, it is not so black and white that we should all now stop using the Fitbit en masse.

I think this research nicely demonstrates that behavior is not that simple. New technology seems to help us become healthier and happier but can also backfire, especially in the long run. It is important to consider why we want to make our behavior measurable and what behavior we want to make measurable. If you derive pleasure from a particular activity, it may be better not to measure it.

Short-term effects do not guarantee long-term effects

Etkin's research shows that sometimes an intended change in our behavior can work effectively in the short term, where in the long term it can have a very different effect. For this reason, it is crucial to do more research on the long-term effects of behavioral changes through nudges or interventions. At present, it is too often unclear whether the desired effect is achieved.

Want to know more about or participate yourself in a study on how to achieve long-term behavior change? Then mail to elinevbaal@gmail.com.