He or she is doing the activity for the sake of doing that activity. A person is doing the activity simply because it is inherently enjoyable to them, aligned with their values, or is something they are interested in.
Intrinsic motivation involves engaging in an activity or doing something despite there being no obvious external rewards. When a person is intrinsically motivated, however, they’re more likely to perform well or behave in a positive manner if they’re truly invested in the activity itself, since it provides them with a sense of agency and purpose.While intrinsic and extrinsic motivation are both forms of motivation, they have important differences.The main distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation is that intrinsic motivation involves an internal reason for doing something or pursuing an objective while extrinsic motivation involves an external reason or reward for engaging in an activity or a goal. Over time, a phenomenon known as the overjustification effect can actually start to decrease an individual’s motivation to behave in a certain way as the reward starts to lose its luster.įor instance, a 2016 study shows that children’s willingness to share with other children diminished when they received a material reward compared with those who received verbal praise or no reward at all. In some cases, if someone is motivated only by external rewards, they may just do the bare minimum to receive the reward - the primary source of their desire. Whether an individual is motivated by rewards such as an extended curfew, their first smartphone, or money, it could mean they’re engaging in certain positive behaviors and activities only to reap their desired rewards. While extrinsic motivation can create positive changes in children and adults alike, the behavior itself is often devoid of passion. Subjects were also intrinsically motivated by an improvement in their mental well-being. In addition, research from 2019 found that subjects who participated in community gardening were extrinsically motivated by a sense of responsibility and enhanced community. The researchers found that monetary-driven performance (extrinsic) filtered out irrelevant tasks, while curiosity-driven performance (intrinsic) led to a state of heightened attention. While there is limited research on the effects of extrinsic motivation specifically, many studies examine the effects of both extrinsic and intrinsic rewards.įor instance, a 2020 study suggests that both extrinsic and intrinsic motivation can improve memory and attention. ProsĮxtrinsic motivation can lead to positive behavioral changes and help boost productivity in the classroom and workplace. Here’s a look at the pros and cons of extrinsic motivation and when intrinsic motivation might offer a more meaningful outcome. Older research from 1973 posited that excessive extrinsic rewards can actually lead to a decrease in your motivation to earn them. In fact, with too much extrinsic motivation, some people may become encouraged only by the prospect of a reward. The researchers suggest that while extrinsic motivation can produce a negative outcome in some very specific situations, the rewards themselves are generally not considered harmful.Įveryone is motivated differently, which means that extrinsic motivation may not always be the best method of persuasion for every individual. A review study from 2014 indicates that extrinsic motivation can be an effective tool in many everyday situations.
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