What drives you to do the things that you do? What pushes you to accomplish the things that you have accomplished? The simplest answer would be for personal gain, but the answer is much more complex. There are numerous ways to view the concept of motivation.
A key ability of those successful individuals we idolise is that they understand how to motivate themselves to complete the task at hand. The skill of being able to start and complete a tasks is what maximises their possibility of success. But, what type of motivation is most vital to success? It is motivation influenced from external factors (extrinsic), or is it the burning desire that comes from within the individual (intrinsic).
It goes without saying that there are advantages to both styles of motivation, each with their own distinctive effects on behaviours and how people decide to chase their goals. To understand the impact these types of motivation have on human action and drive, we must first understand what each style is.
The History of Intrinsic & Extrinsic Motivation:
Edward L. Deci and Richard M. Ryan, renowned psychologists, developed the Self-Determination Theory (SDT), which includes the concepts of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Their research has significantly contributed to our understanding of human motivation and behaviour.
What is Intrinsic Motivation?
The term intrinsic motivation refers to act of doing something that does not have any obvious external rewards. You do this task because it is enjoyable and interesting to you, not because of any external incentives or pressures such as rewards or deadlines. Put shortly, intrinsic motivation is performing an activity for your own sake rather the desire for some external reward or pressure. In essence, the behaviour itself is your reward.
Intrinsic motivation is often more about personal growth, a sense of duty, and a recognition of purpose.
Below are some examples of intrinsic motivation in real life.
Examples of Intrinsic Motivation.
- Playing a certain sport because you enjoy the way it makes you feel
- Staying behind at work because you believe in the work you do
- Working in a team because you enjoy collaborating with different people
- Taking your children to the playground because it makes you happy
- Studying because you’re interested in the topics
What are the benefits of Intrinsic motivation?
Intrinsic motivation can have a range of benefits for individuals, including:
- Increased creativity: Intrinsic motivation fosters a sense of curiosity and exploration, which can lead to increased creativity and innovation.
- Greater persistence: When individuals are intrinsically motivated, they are more likely to persist in the face of obstacles and setbacks, and to continue working towards their goals.
- Improved performance: Intrinsic motivation is associated with higher levels of performance and achievement, as individuals are more likely to engage in activities that they find interesting and enjoyable.
- Greater satisfaction: Engaging in activities that are intrinsically motivating can lead to greater satisfaction and enjoyment, as individuals are more likely to find meaning and purpose in what they are doing.
- Greater well-being: Intrinsic motivation is associated with greater psychological well-being, including increased levels of happiness and reduced levels of stress and anxiety.
Overall, cultivating intrinsic motivation can lead to a more fulfilling and satisfying life, as individuals are able to pursue activities that align with their values, interests, and goals. By finding intrinsic motivation, individuals can achieve greater success and personal growth, while also experiencing greater levels of happiness and well-being.
What is Extrinsic Motivation?
Simply put, extrinsic motivation refers to the behaviour of individuals to perform tasks and learn new skills because of the external rewards and avoidance of punishment. In this case, you will complete a task not because of how it makes you feel, but instead because you wish to obtain something of value or avoid something negative.
Below are some examples of extrinsic motivation in real life.
Examples of Extrinsic Motivation.
- Going to work and staying longer because you want to earn more money
- Studying because you want to achieve a good grade
- Volunteering/charity work because it will look good on your CV
- Cleaning your apartment because you do not want your partner to get angry at you
- Paying your taxes because you want to avoid paying a fine
What are the benefits of Extrinsic Motivation?
Extrinsic motivation can have benefits in certain situations, including:
- Increased performance: Extrinsic motivation, such as rewards or recognition, can provide a tangible goal for individuals to work towards and can increase their motivation to perform at a higher level.
- Greater accountability: Extrinsic motivation can create a sense of accountability, as individuals are more likely to be held responsible for their actions and performance.
- Increased competition: Extrinsic motivation can create healthy competition among individuals, which can lead to increased performance and achievement.
- Better outcomes: In some cases, extrinsic motivation can lead to better outcomes, particularly in situations where specific performance goals need to be met.
- Improved learning: Extrinsic motivation can be used as a tool to encourage individuals to engage in learning activities, particularly when they might not be intrinsically motivated to do so.
However, it’s important to note that extrinsic motivation can also have negative consequences, particularly when it becomes the primary source of motivation. When individuals are overly focused on external rewards, it can lead to a decrease in intrinsic motivation and personal satisfaction. As such, extrinsic motivation is best used in conjunction with intrinsic motivation, rather than as a replacement for it.
What Type is Best: Intrinsic or Extrinsic Motivation?
Every single person is unique, and what motivates us is also different. Some people are inherently more internally (intrinsically) motivated by tasks, whereas others are more motivated by external (extrinsic) influences.
Whilst both can be extremely effective, most will agree that the concept of extrinsic rewards should be used less to prevent over justification effects. The over justification effect phenomenon refers to the findings that offering excessive external rewards for something that is already internally motivating can actually lead to a reduction in internal motivation.
Obviously, that doesn’t mean extrinsic motivation always results in negative outcomes. It can, in fact, be very beneficial in some instances. For example, those where someone has to complete a task that they find unpleasant. As mentioned, excessive rewards may be problematic, but when used appropriately, extrinsic influences can be an extremely useful tool.
There are factors that can work to help influence intrinsic motivation. By focusing your efforts on some of these factors when introducing intrinsic motivation, you will witness how beneficial intrinsic motivation can be. These influences include, but are not limited to:
- Curiosity – Fostered curiosity pushes us to explore and learn for the pleasure of learning and mastering.
- Recognition – We have an innate desire to be appreciated, so when people recognise our efforts, satisfaction becomes a reward itself.
- Cooperation – Cooperating with others satisfies our need to belong. It also presents the reward of satisfaction as cooperating involves helping other people and making progress towards a collective goal.
- Challenge – Being pushed and challenged helps us work at optimal levels.
Final Thoughts.
In conclusion, intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation are two different types of motivation that can greatly impact our behaviour and actions. While extrinsic motivation relies on external rewards or consequences, intrinsic motivation comes from within and is driven by personal interests, values, and goals. Both types of motivation can be useful in different situations, but research shows that intrinsic motivation is a more powerful driver of long-term behaviour change and personal growth. Intrinsic motivation promotes a sense of autonomy, mastery, and purpose, and can lead to greater satisfaction and well-being.
It’s important to understand the differences between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and to find ways to cultivate intrinsic motivation in our own lives and in the lives of those around us. By focusing on our own internal drive, we can achieve greater success, fulfilment, and happiness in all areas of our lives.
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