

While occasional rewards can give an extra boost of motivation, it’s important not to rely on them all the time. Research shows that the results of extrinsic motivation are weak and can even be detrimental in the long-term.Ĭertain psychologists even indicate that excessively focusing on external motivators can create dependencies. While extrinsic motivation can produce short term-results, that’s, essentially, all it can do. In the learning setting, this manifests as, for instance, studying for an exam to get a good grade or stopping unwanted behavior to avoid punishment. It’s doing something to gain a reward or avoid adverse outcomes. What Is Extrinsic Motivation?Įxtrinsic motivation depends on external factors. So, if a child states that they like something “just because” or they can’t explain why they like something, they are likely internally motivated. This can be especially common with younger children who are not yet able to effectively process abstract concepts,

People may not even be able to identify the reason for their intrinsic motivation.
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This could be a passion for the subject, curiosity, love of challenges, and more. Instead, they are guided by something deeper. Therefore, a person learns the learning’s sake without expecting anything such as grades or praise in return. Intrinsic motivation refers to an individual’s personal interests, satisfaction, and enjoyment. While both affect students’ ability to remain engaged in the learning process and achieve, different factors affect intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. What Is the Difference between Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation? Consequently, that can positively affect their performance and learning outcomes. Understanding them can help parents and teachers organize the learning process in a way that best supports the students’ needs and interests. In fact, psychologists identify two different kinds: extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. Therefore, it’s important to understand that motivation is a complex concept. However, failing to understand what actually motivates students and not engaging them properly can have the opposite effect. Motivation plays a huge role in how students learn and perform in school.
