Reinforcement uncertainty enhances preference for choice in humans

Rost (2018) asked college students to pick between two computer keys. One key always gave a point. The other key gave a point only half the time.

Students could choose which key to press, or the computer picked for them. The test happened in short sessions across several days.

When points were unsure, students wanted to choose the key themselves. When points were guaranteed, they stopped caring about choice.

Certain rewards erased the need to control the pick.

Hanratty et al. (2021) extend this idea. They first let students taste varied prizes, then let them choose. After tasting variety, students still wanted choice even when rewards were sure.

May (2019) moves the lab result into a classroom. Students picked their own reading tasks. Choice helped only when the teacher also gave quick praise for on-task behavior. Without praise, choice did nothing.

Deshais et al. (2019) shows even first-graders vote for the reward system they like. Kids still want a say, even when the prize odds are fixed.

Together, these papers show uncertainty sparks choice, but other cues—like past variety or teacher attention—can keep that spark alive when odds turn certain.

In your session, build a little mystery. Put a highly preferred item in a closed bag and let the learner pick when to open it. Once the item is 100% known, switch to learner-selected activities to keep motivation high.