The Definition Of Intrinsic Motivation

The Definition Of Intrinsic Motivation

What Is Intrinsic Motivation? Motivation Absent Of Separate Reward

by TeachThought Staff

A good working definition of intrinsic motivation is “motivation that stems directly from an action rather than a reward.”

Teachers often think of the idea of motivation in terms of student engagement but as Dr. Richard Ryan and Edward Deci explain below, it’s a little more nuanced than that. From their book, ‘Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivations: Classic Definitions & New Directions’: “Intrinsic motivation is defined as the doing of an activity for its inherent satisfaction rather than for some separable consequence.

What are the types of motivation?

There are two primary types of motivation: intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation. There are then types of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation as well, from Achievement and Physiological Motivation to Social Motivation.

These are sometimes referred to as ‘motives’ or ‘motivations’: Extrinsic, Intrinsic, Introjected, and Identified Motivation.

What Is The Difference Between Intrinsic And Extrinsic Motivation?

Intrinsic motivation comes from within, while extrinsic motivation arises from external factors. When you are intrinsically motivated, you engage in an activity because you enjoy it and get personal satisfaction from doing it. When you are extrinsically motivated, you do something in order to gain an external reward.

When intrinsically motivated, a person is moved to act for the fun or challenge entailed rather than because of external products, pressures, or rewards….In Self-Determination Theory, we distinguish between different types of motivation based on the different reasons or goals that give rise to an action. The most basic distinction is between intrinsic motivation, which refers to doing something because it is inherently interesting or enjoyable, and extrinsic motivation, which refers to doing something because it leads to a separable outcome. Extrinsic motivation thus contrasts with intrinsic motivation, which refers to doing an activity simply for the enjoyment of the activity itself, rather than its instrumental value.”

Examples Of Intrinsic Motivation

The self-prompted learning of a new skill, language, or hobby

Examples Of Extrinsic Motivation

What are examples of extrinsic motivation? If a student studies for a test to make a qualifying grade to play for the basketball team, that would be an example of extrinsic motivation. Another example? Studying to ‘get good grades.’ And as you probably know by now, its polar opposite, intrinsic motivation, is the more powerful of the two, though not necessarily more common.

What Are The Benefits Of Intrinsic Motivation?

Improved learning literacy (understanding how to learn), improved application and transfer of learning, enhanced perceived value of both learning content and experience, improved confidence

Daniel Pink Video on Intrinsic Motivation

In this video, Daniel Pink explores the incredible impact of intrinsic motivation on performance, innovation, and the way we learn. While he frames the idea around ‘business,’ he is clearly discussing learning and performance, which is ground zero for educators.