Skip to content

Extrinsic Vs. Intrinsic Motivation: Clearing the Confusion (Motivation Boosting)

Discover the Surprising Difference Between Extrinsic and Intrinsic Motivation and Boost Your Drive Today!

Step Action Novel Insight Risk Factors
1 Understand the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation Intrinsic motivation is driven by internal factors such as personal satisfaction and self-fulfillment needs, while extrinsic motivation is driven by external factors such as tangible incentives and external pressure effects None
2 Identify the benefits of intrinsic motivation Inwardly motivated actions tend to be more sustainable and lead to higher levels of personal satisfaction and self-fulfillment None
3 Recognize the risks of relying solely on extrinsic motivation Externally driven behavior can lead to burnout and a lack of personal fulfillment, as well as a decrease in performance when tangible incentives are removed None
4 Encourage intrinsic motivation in the workplace Provide opportunities for employees to pursue their passions and interests, set performance goals that align with personal satisfaction, and recognize and reward self-fulfillment needs Risk of not meeting tangible incentives for employees who are used to extrinsic motivation
5 Foster a culture of intrinsic motivation Encourage employees to pursue their passions and interests, provide opportunities for personal growth and development, and recognize and reward self-fulfillment needs Risk of not meeting tangible incentives for employees who are used to extrinsic motivation
6 Balance intrinsic and extrinsic motivation Use tangible incentives as a way to recognize and reward performance, but also encourage employees to pursue their passions and interests for personal satisfaction and self-fulfillment Risk of not meeting tangible incentives for employees who are used to extrinsic motivation, risk of not providing enough opportunities for personal growth and development

Contents

  1. What is the Difference Between Internal Drive and Externally Driven Behavior in Motivation?
  2. The Importance of Personal Satisfaction in Intrinsic Motivation
  3. External Pressure Effects on Inner Passion Fuel: Understanding the Impact on Motivation
  4. Common Mistakes And Misconceptions

What is the Difference Between Internal Drive and Externally Driven Behavior in Motivation?

Step Action Novel Insight Risk Factors
1 Define intrinsic motivation Intrinsic motivation is the drive to engage in an activity for its own sake, without any external rewards or pressures. None
2 Define external rewards External rewards are tangible or intangible benefits that come from outside of oneself, such as money, praise, or recognition. None
3 Explain self-determination theory Self-determination theory is a framework for understanding motivation that emphasizes the importance of three basic psychological needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. None
4 Define autonomy Autonomy refers to the sense of control and choice that individuals have over their own lives and actions. None
5 Define competence Competence refers to the sense of mastery and effectiveness that individuals have in their activities and pursuits. None
6 Define relatedness Relatedness refers to the sense of connection and belonging that individuals have with others. None
7 Explain behavioral regulation Behavioral regulation refers to the ways in which individuals regulate their behavior, either through external or internal means. None
8 Define controlled behavior Controlled behavior is behavior that is driven by external rewards or pressures, rather than by intrinsic motivation. The risk of relying too heavily on external rewards, which can undermine intrinsic motivation.
9 Define autonomous behavior Autonomous behavior is behavior that is driven by intrinsic motivation, rather than by external rewards or pressures. The risk of not having enough external support or resources to sustain intrinsic motivation.
10 Explain self-regulation Self-regulation refers to the ability to monitor and adjust one’s own behavior in order to achieve desired outcomes. None
11 Define goal setting Goal setting is the process of identifying specific, measurable objectives and working towards achieving them. None
12 Define performance feedback Performance feedback is information about one’s own performance, which can be used to adjust behavior and improve outcomes. None

Overall, the main difference between internal drive and externally driven behavior in motivation is that intrinsic motivation is driven by internal rewards, such as a sense of enjoyment or satisfaction, while extrinsic motivation is driven by external rewards, such as money or recognition. Self-determination theory suggests that individuals are more likely to be intrinsically motivated when their basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness are met. However, there are risks associated with both controlled and autonomous behavior, and self-regulation and goal setting can be helpful tools for maintaining intrinsic motivation over time. Performance feedback can also be useful in promoting intrinsic motivation by providing individuals with information about their progress and achievements.

The Importance of Personal Satisfaction in Intrinsic Motivation

Step Action Novel Insight Risk Factors
1 Understand self-determination theory Self-determination theory is a psychological theory that explains how people are motivated to behave in certain ways. It suggests that people have three basic psychological needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. None
2 Recognize the importance of autonomy Autonomy refers to the need to feel in control of one’s own life and decisions. When people feel like they have autonomy, they are more likely to be intrinsically motivated to pursue their goals. None
3 Understand the role of competence Competence refers to the need to feel capable and effective in one’s actions. When people feel competent, they are more likely to be intrinsically motivated to pursue their goals. None
4 Recognize the importance of relatedness Relatedness refers to the need to feel connected to others and to have positive relationships. When people feel relatedness, they are more likely to be intrinsically motivated to pursue their goals. None
5 Understand the difference between internal and external rewards Internal rewards are those that come from within, such as a sense of accomplishment or enjoyment. External rewards are those that come from outside, such as money or praise. Intrinsic motivation is driven by internal rewards, while extrinsic motivation is driven by external rewards. Relying too heavily on external rewards can undermine intrinsic motivation.
6 Recognize the importance of task enjoyment When people enjoy the tasks they are performing, they are more likely to be intrinsically motivated to pursue their goals. None
7 Understand the concept of flow state Flow state is a state of mind where a person is fully immersed in a task and feels a sense of energized focus. When people experience flow state, they are more likely to be intrinsically motivated to pursue their goals. None
8 Understand the role of goal setting theory Goal setting theory suggests that setting specific, challenging goals can increase motivation and performance. When people set goals that are aligned with their personal values and interests, they are more likely to be intrinsically motivated to pursue them. None
9 Recognize the importance of mastery orientation Mastery orientation refers to the belief that one can improve their abilities through effort and practice. When people have a mastery orientation, they are more likely to be intrinsically motivated to pursue their goals. None
10 Understand the role of self-efficacy beliefs Self-efficacy beliefs refer to a person’s belief in their ability to succeed in a particular task or situation. When people have high self-efficacy beliefs, they are more likely to be intrinsically motivated to pursue their goals. None
11 Recognize the importance of positive feedback loops Positive feedback loops occur when a person receives positive feedback for their actions, which increases their motivation to continue those actions. When people experience positive feedback loops, they are more likely to be intrinsically motivated to pursue their goals. None
12 Understand the concept of intrinsically rewarding activities Intrinsically rewarding activities are those that are enjoyable and fulfilling in and of themselves, without the need for external rewards. When people engage in intrinsically rewarding activities, they are more likely to be intrinsically motivated to pursue their goals. None

External Pressure Effects on Inner Passion Fuel: Understanding the Impact on Motivation

Step Action Novel Insight Risk Factors
1 External pressure can have a significant impact on inner passion fuel and motivation levels. External pressure can come from various sources, such as parents, peers, or society, and can affect an individual’s intrinsic motivation. The risk of external pressure is that it can lead to a decrease in intrinsic motivation and an increase in extrinsic motivation, which can negatively impact performance outcomes.
2 Self-determination theory suggests that autonomy support, competence support, and relatedness support can help satisfy psychological needs and enhance intrinsic motivation. Autonomy support involves providing individuals with choices and opportunities for self-direction. Competence support involves providing individuals with feedback and opportunities for skill development. Relatedness support involves creating a sense of belonging and connection. The risk of not providing autonomy, competence, and relatedness support is that individuals may feel controlled, incompetent, or disconnected, which can decrease intrinsic motivation.
3 Goal orientation, task value perception, achievement goals, self-efficacy beliefs, and perceived control are all factors that can influence motivation levels. Goal orientation refers to an individual’s focus on either mastery or performance goals. Task value perception refers to an individual’s belief in the importance and relevance of a task. Achievement goals refer to an individual’s desire to achieve a certain level of performance. Self-efficacy beliefs refer to an individual’s confidence in their ability to perform a task. Perceived control refers to an individual’s belief in their ability to control the outcome of a task. The risk of not considering these factors is that individuals may not be motivated to perform a task if they do not see its value, do not believe they can achieve it, or do not feel in control of the outcome.
4 It is important to understand the balance between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and how external pressure can impact this balance. While extrinsic motivation can be helpful in some situations, such as when rewards are given for achieving a certain goal, it is important to not rely solely on extrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation is more sustainable and can lead to better performance outcomes. The risk of relying solely on extrinsic motivation is that individuals may lose interest in a task once the reward is removed, and performance outcomes may suffer.

Common Mistakes And Misconceptions

Mistake/Misconception Correct Viewpoint
Extrinsic motivation is always bad, while intrinsic motivation is always good. Both types of motivation can be beneficial or detrimental depending on the situation and individual. For example, extrinsic rewards can provide a short-term boost in performance, but may not lead to long-term satisfaction or engagement. Intrinsic motivation can drive passion and commitment, but may not be enough to sustain effort without external support or recognition. It’s important to understand the context and balance both types of motivation for optimal results.
Intrinsic motivation is only driven by personal interest or enjoyment. While personal interest and enjoyment are common sources of intrinsic motivation, there are other factors that can contribute as well such as a sense of purpose, autonomy, mastery, social connection etc., which may not necessarily stem from pure pleasure-seeking behavior. Understanding these underlying motivators can help individuals tap into their intrinsic drive more effectively.
Extrinsic rewards undermine intrinsic motivation completely. This view assumes that extrinsic rewards will inevitably reduce an individual’s internal desire to engage with a task/activity because they become too focused on the reward itself rather than the activity/task at hand; however this isn’t always true since it depends on how the reward system is designed/implemented (e.g., if it provides meaningful feedback about progress towards goals) and whether it aligns with an individual’s values/goals/priorities etc.. Additionally some people might find certain tasks inherently uninteresting/challenging so providing them with external incentives could help increase their initial engagement/motivation levels until they develop more internalized reasons for continuing those activities/tasks over time.
Intrinsic vs extrinsic motivations are mutually exclusive categories. The reality is that most human behaviors involve multiple motives operating simultaneously – even when we’re doing something purely out of our own interests there might still be some degree of external pressure/influence involved (e.g., social norms, expectations from others etc.). Therefore it’s more accurate to view intrinsic and extrinsic motivations as two ends of a spectrum rather than distinct categories. The key is to identify which factors are driving an individual’s behavior in a given situation and how they can be leveraged effectively for optimal outcomes.
Intrinsic motivation is always enough to sustain effort over time. While intrinsic motivation can provide a strong initial drive towards an activity/task, it may not be sufficient on its own to maintain that level of engagement/commitment over the long-term especially if there are external barriers/challenges involved (e.g., lack of resources/support, competing demands etc.). This is where extrinsic motivators such as rewards/recognition or feedback/support from others can help reinforce the value/importance of continuing with those activities/tasks even when the going gets tough.
Extrinsic motivation only works for simple/repetitive tasks while intrinsic motivation is needed for complex/creative tasks. This view assumes that extrinsic motivators are only effective when there’s a clear link between performance and reward; however research has shown that external incentives can also enhance creativity/problem-solving abilities by providing individuals with new perspectives/challenges or reducing anxiety/distractions associated with uncertainty/risk-taking. Similarly intrinsic motives like curiosity/exploration might play an important role in motivating people to engage with complex tasks but they might still need some degree of external support/incentives along the way depending on their personal circumstances/goals/preferences etc..