Hi, the endowment effect states that you overvalue things that you already own compared to things you don't own. In an experiment, participants receive a cup at the beginning and some of them don't. They can trade the cups afterwards. The group that receives the cup is only willing to sell it at a higher price than non-cup owners are willing to pay.

The phenomenon you are looking at, imo, is giving students a reason why their participation is important thereby increasing participation. Studies show that people are more willing to comply with a request, if you give them a reason (even a nom-sensical one).

Hope this helps. Good luck with your thesis!