Here at Life Skills Advocate, we spend a lot of time thinking about goals and motivation. There’s a lot of misguided, mentalistic, and frankly–not at all helpful–information available to parents and educators about motivation, especially the difference between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation.
To better understand these concepts, it’s essential to look at the classic definitions of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, drawing on foundational theories and academic literature that have shaped our understanding over time. Historical conceptualizations of intrinsic motivation suggest that it arises from internal drives, but it has evolved to include elements like curiosity and autonomy as key motivators.
Have you ever wondered why some teens and young adults continue to achieve their goals, whether big or small…while others seem to struggle?
What makes your neurodivergent teen get out of bed in the morning ready for the day on a weekend, but refuse to do the same during the week?
Do you wish you better understood the factors that support successfully changing behavior patterns?
In this comprehensive guide, we’re diving deep into the fascinating world of motivation, specifically focusing on the key differences between intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation (and how you can tap into each form of motivation to start seeing real results).
Introduction to Human Behavior
Human behavior is a complex and multifaceted field of study that encompasses various aspects of human actions, including motivation, cognition, and emotion. At the core of human behavior lies motivation, which drives individuals to engage in specific actions or behaviors. Motivation can be broadly categorized into two types: intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation refers to the internal desire to engage in an activity for its own sake, whereas extrinsic motivation is driven by external factors such as rewards or recognition. Understanding the differences between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation is crucial for promoting personal growth, improving task performance, and enhancing overall well-being.
What Is Extrinsic Motivation?
At its core, extrinsic motivation refers to behaviors that are motivated by environmental and social variables. It’s sometimes referred to as ‘external motivation’ because something outside the individual maintains the behavior. Externally mediated rewards, such as praise or monetary incentives, are a form of extrinsic motivation that can sometimes undermine intrinsic motivation by shifting the focus from internal satisfaction to external gains.
Some examples of extrinsic motivation:
- My son studies for his math exam to get a good grade.
- I respond to work emails within 30 minutes because my co-workers tell me how much they appreciate my work.
- I work 40 hours per week and receive a paycheck for hours worked.
- My teen volunteers at the nursing home to get experience for her resume.
- Participating in a sport to win awards is an example of extrinsic motivation.
Extrinsically motivated behaviors are driven by external rewards or the avoidance of negative consequences. Understanding these behaviors can help elucidate their role in human experience and psychiatric conditions.
Note that the list of extrinsic factors includes both rewards/reinforcement and avoidance/punishment. Some extrinsic motivators are things we get in exchange for a behavior (e.g., a good grade, a paycheck, praise). Other environmental motivators are things we try to avoid or escape from.
Some examples of these types of extrinsic motivators:
- My teen has a stomach ache and asks to stay home every morning before a big exam.
- I respond to work emails within 30 minutes to avoid my boss’ nagging.
- My son studies for his math exam to avoid a failing grade.
Note in some of the examples above, we can both receive external rewards and work to avoid an aversive by engaging in the same behavior.
Extrinsic Rewards
Extrinsic rewards are external incentives that motivate individuals to engage in specific behaviors or actions. These rewards can take various forms, including monetary rewards, tangible rewards, or social recognition. While extrinsic rewards can be effective in motivating individuals in the short term, they can also undermine intrinsic motivation and lead to a decrease in task engagement and performance. Research has shown that extrinsic rewards can have a negative impact on intrinsic motivation, particularly when they are perceived as controlling or coercive. For instance, a study found that students who were rewarded with extrinsic motivators, such as grades or trophies, showed a decrease in intrinsic motivation and interest in the task. On the other hand, intrinsic motivators, such as autonomy, competence, and relatedness, can increase intrinsic motivation and lead to more positive outcomes.
What Is Intrinsic Motivation?
On the opposite side, intrinsic motivation refers to behaviors that are motivated solely because of the value to the individual. The behavior itself is its own reward when one is intrinsically motivated.
We engage in these behaviors because we find them fun, enjoyable, purposeful, or because they stimulate our five senses in satisfying ways.
Initial interest in an activity can significantly influence intrinsic motivation, as high initial interest can enhance engagement and motivation levels.
Some examples of intrinsic motivation:
- My son stopped taking lessons years ago, but still plays the piano every day after school.
- I go out to dinner with my friends on the weekends because it’s fun to do.
- My teen loves football, and spends hours watching games on Sunday.
- My favorite food is cinnamon rolls. I’ve baked dozens of recipes to find the one that tastes the best.
The important thing here is to know that even though intrinsic motivation ‘comes from within’ there can still be external, social variables that may mediate the reasons we engage in certain behaviors.
The Neuroscience Behind These Two Types Of Motivation
To truly grasp the power of extrinsic and intrinsic motivation and how you can use it to help your child or student, let’s explore the two prominent theories of motivation and how they can be used to help your teen achieve goals.
Various neurotransmitter systems, particularly the opioid and endocannabinoid systems, influence intrinsic motivation in both animal models and humans. These systems play a crucial role in modulating behaviors related to intrinsic motivation, such as social play and voluntary exercise. Dysfunction in intrinsic motivation is a recognized aspect of various psychiatric disorders.
Understanding the phases of motivated behavior is essential, especially the role of decision making during the pre-decisional deliberation phase. Intrinsic and extrinsic motivations interplay in these decision-making processes, where factors like autonomy, task enjoyment, and cognitive evaluations of costs and benefits significantly affect the ability to make choices.
Self Determination Theory (SDT)
Self-Determination Theory (SDT) is one theory of motivation developed by Edward L. Deci and Richard M. Ryan in 2000.
Richard Ryan has made significant contributions to Self-Determination Theory, particularly in the area of intrinsic motivation.
Since then, SDT has published a large body of research, supporting the ideas that motivation exists on a spectrum, with intrinsic motivation at one end and extrinsic motivation on the other.
Intrinsic motivation, according to SDT, is closely tied to personal interests and passions and is superior to help in changing behavior over systems of extrinsic motivation.
Other tenets supported by Self-Determination Theory:
- We have evolved as humans to seek growth, curiosity, and connectedness with others.
- Motivation can be influenced by our competence or skill level. We require a certain base knowledge or fluency in order to be intrinsically motivated.
- Humans desire autonomy, or control of their life, behavior and goals.
Self-Determination Theory focuses on high quality forms of motivation and engagement for activities, including enhanced performance, persistence, and creativity by fostering conditions of autonomy, competence, and relatedness to others.
Motivating Operations (MOs)
In contrast to Self-Determination Theory, behavior analysts distinguish between forms of motivation using the concepts of Motivating Operations (MOs). MO’s come in two forms, those that increase the value of something to us as an organism and those that decrease the value of something to us.
As a basic example, if I haven’t eaten for several hours, food becomes more valuable to me. This in turn, increases the likelihood I’ll take a trip to the refrigerator.
In contrast, if I’ve just eaten a giant Thanksgiving dinner, this decreases the value of food and the odds of finding me in the kitchen anytime soon.
Learned behaviors play a crucial role in reinforcement models, where past experiences shape our behavior and decision-making. These learned behaviors are essential in understanding how motivation operates, particularly in extrinsic motivational frameworks.
Other proponents of Motivating Operations:
- We can construct systems and routines that support motivation as it changes across the day.
- Helps to explain that motivation can change quickly and in response to many factors. What may be motivating to a student today, might not be as motivating tomorrow.
- Focuses on external or extrinsic rewards initially, then gradually moving to more intrinsic motivators over time.
Real World Applications Of Intrinsic And Extrinsic Motivation
As you can see, both theories can do a lot to help parents, teachers, and individuals understand motivation and how we can balance both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation to achieve goals. Intrinsic motivation enhances problem solving abilities, allowing individuals to approach tasks more creatively and enthusiastically.
Now that we’ve covered the theoretical aspects, let’s explore how these concepts play out in the real world. Fulfilling human needs such as competence and autonomy drives motivation, which is crucial for psychological well-being and achieving goals.
At School
For educators, understanding the principles of extrinsic and intrinsic motivation, along with theories of motivation can help foster student engagement and better help neurodivergent learners in the classroom.
Educational settings play a crucial role in influencing students’ intrinsic motivation to learn. A supportive classroom environment where students feel a sense of belonging and autonomy can enhance their motivation, particularly in the face of traditional disciplinary practices that may discourage engagement. Creating autonomy-supportive environments increases intrinsic motivation in students and employees.
Here are a few examples of how you might consider both in the classroom:
Extrinsic Motivation
Classroom privileges, positive feedback, and other extrinsic rewards have been around for years as tools and strategies to help motivate students academically.
There’s no shortage of ideas shared in teacher forums for things like: free assignment coupons, sticker charts, schedules of screen time, movie or YouTube instruction days, working in groups vs. solo, and scheduling breaks during instructional time.
In most cases, there’s no harm in using external factors as a carrot to help a child get something done. That’s especially true if you’re trying to encourage them to learn something new, develop an interest, or give feedback.
However, you may want to learn more heavily on intrinsic motivation (and not use extrinsic motivation) if your child is already interested in a task, or if the reward would make an activity feel more like work rather than play.
Intrinsic Motivation
Intrinsic motivation in the classroom can be trickier to implement, as it requires teachers to get to know their students well and to embed these preferences in learning. In other words, you have to figure out what kind of intrinsic interest your students have and how to ignite that internal drive. Challenging yet doable tasks enhance students’ intrinsic motivation.
The Broadway musical Hamilton is a prime example of taking what otherwise would be a boring American history lesson and transforming with music, hip hop, and real-world people.
And while we’re not expecting teachers to win Tony Awards, the idea of using music, games, performance, and group engagement rather than textbook instructions can be highly effective in the classroom.
Long story short, if you want to encourage intrinsically motivated behavior, you’re going to have to really work on your relationships and relatedness with your students to figure out what truly moves them.
As A Parent Or Professional
As a parent or professional, it’s crucial to recognize that motivation is not one-size-fits-all. Understanding different types of motivation can help in recognizing and rewarding employees.
While you may find intrinsic motivation drives you, your child or colleague might respond better to extrinsic rewards or recognition. Much of this is age-based, and much of it is based on the tasks or new skills that you are expecting your child to follow through with. A company’s strategies can significantly impact an employee’s motivation and performance.
Tailor your approach accordingly, and communicate openly to understand their unique sources of motivation.
One way to identify intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation is just to ask – what motivates you?
To have a discussion with your student, teen, or client about motivation, check out the “Rewarding Success” exercise in The Real Life Executive Functioning Workbook (coupon code LSA20 for 20% off). This exercise helps learners identify all the available rewards for completing a difficult task.
Achievement Motivation
Achievement motivation refers to the drive to achieve success or mastery in a particular domain or activity. This type of motivation is often driven by intrinsic factors, such as personal satisfaction, enjoyment, or a sense of accomplishment. Achievement motivation can be influenced by various factors, including self-efficacy, goal-setting, and feedback. Individuals with high achievement motivation tend to be more focused, persistent, and resilient in the face of challenges. They are also more likely to experience flow states, which are characterized by heightened engagement, concentration, and enjoyment. According to self-determination theory, autonomy, competence, and relatedness are essential for intrinsic motivation and achievement motivation. When individuals feel a sense of autonomy, competence, and relatedness, they are more likely to be intrinsically motivated and experience positive outcomes, such as increased satisfaction, creativity, and performance.
Where Can I Learn More About The Different Types Of Motivation?
We understand that diving into the complexities of motivation can be overwhelming. We learn more about extrinsic and intrinsic motivation as science and research into mental health and neuroscience continues to test strategies in the classroom and in the workplace.
Psychology, particularly educational psychology, plays a crucial role in understanding how intrinsic and extrinsic motivations influence learning and behavior.
That’s why we’ve compiled a list of resources and tools to help you on your journey to better understand and stay up to date with the science of motivation:
Books:
- “Drive” by Daniel Pink
- “The Student Motivation Handbook” by Larry Ferlazzo
- “Get Out Of Your Own Way” by Mark Goulsten & Phillip Goldberg
Motivation Apps:
- Habitica – a free habit-building and productivity app that uses retro RPG elements to gamify your tasks and goals.
- Forest – a unique productivity app that uses virtual trees to inspire users to better manage their time and go phone-free
- Strides – help you set and track goals, collect data, and explore how different extrinsic and intrinsic motivators are shaping your behavior.
Coaching:
Sometimes, we need extra supports to help our teens learn to balance extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. Perhaps you’d like some guidance in how to build in motivation tools into your work or school life.
Consider seeking the guidance of a professional coach who can provide personalized insights into motivation and how to apply it in your life.
Key Takeaways
In summary, extrinsic and intrinsic motivation are two powerful forces that drive human behavior. Intrinsically motivated behavior is both stronger and longer lasting than extrinsically motivated behavior.
While they may seem like opposing concepts, they often coexist and can be harnessed to achieve your goals.
There are several key differences between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, such as the underlying motivations for actions and the frameworks through which they can be understood, which influence their effectiveness in various situations.
Understanding the science and real-world applications of these motivations can help you navigate your personal and professional life more effectively.
As you go forward, remember that motivation is a dynamic process. What motivates you or your neurodivergent learner today might change in the future.
That’s why continuing to monitor and evaluate motivation on a regular basis is so important to achieving goals and sustaining progress.
Ultimately, know that the key to completing tasks successfully relies on a careful blend of both intrinsic rewards and extrinsic incentives. It may take some time for you to figure out what ignites the internal motivation in your child (and helps them feel the most personal satisfaction).
You shouldn’t favor one type of motivation at the expense of the other. Both are incredibly important variables in helping your child get things done.
But, with time, you’ll figure out the ideal incentives and help foster a strong sense of personal satisfaction in a job well done.
Further Reading
- Harvard University – Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning: Motivation and Metacognition
- Langthorne P, McGill P.: A tutorial on the concept of the motivating operation and its importance to application. Behavior Analysis in Practice. 2009 Fall;2(2):22-31
- Bain, Ken: What the Best College Students Do
- Self-Determination Theory: Self-Determination Theory
- Sippl, Amy: The Myths of Motivation: Understanding Teen Motivation
- Schmidt, Jennifer: The Neuroscience Of ADHD Self-Discipline: Why ADHD Makes It Hard And How To Make It Easier
- Sippl, Amy: “School Is Pointless!” A Parent’s Guide To Low Academic Motivation