Insights To Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Motivation

There are two forms of motivation in psychology: internal motivation and extrinsic motivation.

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Intrinsic Motivation (Motivation From Within)

Intrinsic motivation refers to doing something because it is pleasurable. It might be enjoyable or difficult for you. You are participating in the activity for its own purpose, not for external reward or remuneration. The sensation of accomplishment is the first reward.

Consider what you do in your daily life for the sake of sheer delight. You are intrinsically motivated if you are reading this post out of interest and curiosity and appreciate knowing more about it.

Extrinsic Motivation

Extrinsic Motivation is a type of motivation that comes from outside of oneself

Extrinsic motivation is when you do something not because you like it, but because you want to gain a reward or avoid punishment. It is diametrically opposed to intrinsic motivation.

The extrinsic incentive is often used to influence behavior in everyday life. You are extrinsically motivated if you are reading this article because you need the information to prepare for a test or compose a paper.

Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation Can Exist Side by Side

People might engage in the same action for a variety of reasons, resulting in a variety of motives.

However, even though they are diametrically opposed, the intrinsic and extrinsic drives can coexist at times.

For example, you could be studying psychology because you like learning about the subject, but you also want to do well academically. As a result, you work really hard in your studies. Then there’s internal and extrinsic drive.

Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Motivation

The distinction between internal and extrinsic motivation could be seen in the purpose of doing anything. Intrinsic motivation is defined as doing something for the sake of enjoyment, and extrinsic motivation is defined as doing something for a separate result other than satisfaction.

However, intrinsic and extrinsic motivation does not represent the source of motivation. Internal motivation, or motivation from the inside, may also be external. For example, a kid may desire to obtain excellent marks because they want to go to college, but it is still an extrinsic drive because it is done for a separate goal.

Examples Of Extrinsic Motivation

• You’re going to work because you want to make money.
• Studying in order to achieve a high grade
• Helping people with the hopes of receiving praise
• Volunteering for the sake of having a strong CV
• Going to the same store because you can take advantage of loyalty programmes
• You’re cleaning your flat because you don’t want your boyfriend to be upset.
• Going to new areas just to tweet about it on social media
• Paying taxes in order to avoid a fine
• Pursuing a certain degree in order to make your parents proud
• You’re going on a business trip because your boss told you to.

Examples Of Intrinsic Motivation

• Participating in sports because you like the way they make you feel
• Staying at work for an extended period of time because you believe in your work
• You’re using positive affirmations because you want to transform your thinking for the better.
• Investing money in order to achieve financial independence
• You desire to travel because you want to learn about various cultures.
• Working in a group because you like working with others
• You’re interested in personal development because you want to better yourself.
• Taking your children to the playground because it makes you happy
• You are studying because you are interested in the topics.
• You’re attempting to be a good leader because you want to inspire others.

Causes Of Intrinsic Motivation

Intrinsic motivation is fueled by psychologicalal incentives. Intrinsic rewards are good emotions associated with the action itself.

Some examples of intrinsic benefits include:

When you learn a new skill, you have a sense of competence; when you see progress in your work, you have a sense of achievement; when you engage in group activities, you have a sense of belonging; and when you volunteer at a shelter or mentor a junior, you have a sense of purpose.

Causes Of Extrinsic Motivation

Extrinsic motivation can be fueled by either psychologicalal or material incentives. While physical incentives are always external, psychologicalal benefits can also originate from the inside.

Extrinsic motivation can be achieved through the use of the following rewards:

Tangible – a new item, additional money, a bonus, and so on.
Psychological factors include praise, a lack of criticism, and so forth.

Which is Best: Extrinsic or Intrinsic Motivation? 

Each individual is unique, and our motivations and perceptions of rewards differ as well. Some people are intrinsically driven by tasks, whilst others are motivated by the same activities extrinsically.

While both can be helpful, most believe that extrinsic rewards should be utilized less frequently in order to reduce overjustification consequences. This phenomenon relates to the discovery that providing excessive external incentives for what is already an inwardly gratifying action might result in a decrease in the intrinsic motivation.

This is not to suggest that extrinsic incentive always has bad consequences. In fact, it could be quite useful in some instances, such as when someone needs to accomplish an unpleasant activity. Excessive incentives can be harmful, but when utilized correctly, extrinsic motivators can be a beneficial tool.

Several variables can work together to enhance intrinsic motivation. You will see how effective intrinsic motivation can be if you focus your efforts on these elements while introducing it. Among these criteria include, but are not limited to:

• Curiosity: Curiosity encouraged individuals to explore and study for the sake of learning and mastering. Challenge: Being challenged allows people to work at peak performance levels on a constant basis while pursuing important goals.
• Recognition: Because people have a natural need to be acknowledged, when their efforts are recognised and appreciated by others, pleasure becomes a reward in itself.
• Cooperation: Working with others satisfies the desire to belong. It also provides the pleasure reward, because cooperation entails assisting others and working together toward a common objective.

When to Use Extrinsic Motivation

Most people believe that intrinsic motivation is better, however, this is not always the case. Sometimes a person just lacks the intrinsic motivation to participate in an activity. Excessive incentives can also be a source of concern.

Extrinsic motivators, on the other hand, could be a beneficial tool when utilized correctly. Extrinsic motivation, for example, might persuade people to complete a boring work activity or school project.

Researchers have reached three major findings on extrinsic incentives and their impact on intrinsic motivation:

When external rewards are offered for accomplishing a certain job or doing only minimum labor, intrinsic motivation decreases.

If parents lavish their kids with praise every time they do a basic job, the child will grow less intrinsically motivated to perform that action in the future.

Praise has the potential to boost internal motivation. Researchers discovered that providing positive praise and feedback when people outperform others can boost intrinsic motivation.

External incentives that are unexpected do not reduce intrinsic motivation.
If you receive a good mark on an exam because you love learning about a subject and the instructor decides to reward you with a gift card to your favorite pizza shop, your underlying drive to learn about the subject is unaffected. However, rewarding in this scenario should be done with caution since people might become accustomed to receiving prizes.

How Do Intrinsic Motivation and Extrinsic Motivation Influence Learning?

Extrinsic and intrinsic motivation both play important roles in learning. According to experts, the conventional emphasis on external rewards in school (such as grades, report cards, and gold stars) weakens whatever existing intrinsic motivation that children may have.

Others have claimed that extrinsic motivators make students feel more competent in the classroom, which boosts intrinsic motivation.

“A person’s interest often survives when a reward is used neither to bribe nor to control but to signal a job well done, as in a “most improved player” award. If a reward boosts your feeling of competence after doing good work, your enjoyment of the task may increase. Rewards, rightly administered, can motivate high performance and creativity. And extrinsic rewards (such as scholarships, admissions, and jobs that often follow good grades) are here to stay.”

—David G. Meyers, Psychology: Eighth Edition in Modules

The Science of Motivation

Knowing what motivates you might assist you in being more driven.

Seek intrinsic motivation whenever feasible by looking for parts of the task that interest you or reasons that might help you internalize the objective.

According to research, the following three elements can have an impact on a person’s motivation:

1. Independence: Only when a person believes they have the freedom to choose can they be intrinsically driven. Engagement must be a “free choice” with no strings attached.
2. Confidence in One’s Ability: A sense of competence is a powerful internal motivation. When a person completes a tough activity or learns a new skill, they feel successful and are more inclined to repeat the experience.
3. Similarity: Relatedness, which relates to how well one feels connected, safe, respected, and cared for, is another component that might influence intrinsic motivation.

Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Motivation

Human behavior is driven by both extrinsic and internal motivation. There are numerous important distinctions between motivation based on external incentives and motivation based on an individual’s true interest, including the effects of each kind on behavior and the conditions in which each type will be most successful.

Understanding how each sort of motivation works and when it is likely to be beneficial might help people accomplish activities (even when they don’t want to) and learn more effectively.

References

1. 2.Benabou R, Tirole J. Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation. Rev Econ Studies. Published online July 2003:489-520. doi:10.1111/1467-937x.00253
2. 3.Ryan RM, Koestner R, Deci EL. Ego-involved persistence: When free-choice behavior is not intrinsically motivated. Motiv Emot. Published online September 1991:185-205. doi:10.1007/bf00995170
3. 4.Ryan R, Deci E. Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivations: Classic Definitions and New Directions. Contemp Educ Psychol. 2000;25(1):54-67. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10620381
4. 5.Deci EL, Vallerand RJ, Pelletier LG, Ryan RM. Motivation and Education: The Self-Determination Perspective. Educational Psychologist. Published online June 1991:325-346. doi:10.1080/00461520.1991.9653137