Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Are Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation?Extrinsic vs. IntrinsicUsesImpact

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What Are Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation?

Extrinsic vs. Intrinsic

Uses

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Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation refer to the forces that drive behavior. Internal motivation arises from within, while external motivation comes from outside forces.

That means that if you are intrinsically motivated, you’ll engage in a behavior because you enjoy doing it. If you are extrinsically motivated, you’ll do it to get a reward.

Researchers have found that each type has a different effect on a person’s behavior and pursuit of goals.To better understand the influence of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation on human behavior, it will help to learn how each type works.

At a GlanceWhy do we do the things we do? What drives our behavior? Psychologists have proposed different ways of thinking about motivation, including looking at whether motivation arises from outside (extrinsic) or inside (intrinsic) an individual. Intrinsic motivation comes from within, and extrinsic motivation from without.Sometimes you’re better off doing things for enjoyment, but in other cases, you might need a little extra outside motivation. However, it pays to be careful since excessive external rewards can sometimes dampen intrinsic motivation.

At a Glance

Why do we do the things we do? What drives our behavior? Psychologists have proposed different ways of thinking about motivation, including looking at whether motivation arises from outside (extrinsic) or inside (intrinsic) an individual. Intrinsic motivation comes from within, and extrinsic motivation from without.Sometimes you’re better off doing things for enjoyment, but in other cases, you might need a little extra outside motivation. However, it pays to be careful since excessive external rewards can sometimes dampen intrinsic motivation.

Why do we do the things we do? What drives our behavior? Psychologists have proposed different ways of thinking about motivation, including looking at whether motivation arises from outside (extrinsic) or inside (intrinsic) an individual. Intrinsic motivation comes from within, and extrinsic motivation from without.

Sometimes you’re better off doing things for enjoyment, but in other cases, you might need a little extra outside motivation. However, it pays to be careful since excessive external rewards can sometimes dampen intrinsic motivation.

1:17Is It Extrinsic or Intrinsic Motivation?

1:17

Is It Extrinsic or Intrinsic Motivation?

Intrinsic motivationis when you engage in a behavior because you find it rewarding. You are performing an activity for its own sake rather than from the desire for some external reward. The behavior itself is its own reward.

Extrinsic motivationis when we are motivated to perform a behavior or engage in an activity because we want toearn a rewardor avoid punishment.You will engage in behavior not because you enjoy it or because you find it satisfying, but because you expect to get something in return or avoid something unpleasant.

Participating in a sport to win awards

Competing in a contest to win a scholarship

Studying because you want to get a good grade

Intrinsic MotivationParticipating in a sport because you find the activity enjoyableCleaning your room because you like tidying upSolving a word puzzle because you find the challenge fun and excitingStudying a subject you find fascinating

Participating in a sport because you find the activity enjoyable

Cleaning your room because you like tidying up

Solving a word puzzle because you find the challenge fun and exciting

Studying a subject you find fascinating

Extrinsic vs. Intrinsic Motivation: Which Is Best?

Extrinsic motivation arises from outside of the individual, while intrinsic motivation comes from within. Research has shown that each type has a different effect on human behavior.

Studies have demonstrated that offering excessive external rewards for an already internally rewarding behavior can reduce intrinsic motivation—a phenomenon known as theoverjustification effect.

For example, in a 2008 study, children who were rewarded for playing with a toy they had already expressed interest in playing with became less interested in the item after being externally rewarded.

This is not to suggest that extrinsic motivation is a bad thing—it can be beneficial in some situations. For example, extrinsic motivation can be particularly helpful when a person needs to complete a task that they find unpleasant.

Additionally, external rewards can:

Extrinsic motivators should be avoided in situations where:

When to Use External RewardsMotivate a person to learn something newMake a person more interested in an activity that they are not interested inProvide feedback to people to let them know their performance is worthy of recognitionWhen Not to Use External RewardsA person is already interested in the topic, task, or activityOffering a reward would make the activity feel like “work” instead of “play”

When to Use External RewardsMotivate a person to learn something newMake a person more interested in an activity that they are not interested inProvide feedback to people to let them know their performance is worthy of recognition

Motivate a person to learn something new

Make a person more interested in an activity that they are not interested in

Provide feedback to people to let them know their performance is worthy of recognition

When Not to Use External RewardsA person is already interested in the topic, task, or activityOffering a reward would make the activity feel like “work” instead of “play”

A person is already interested in the topic, task, or activity

Offering a reward would make the activity feel like “work” instead of “play”

‘Doing What You Love’: The Battle of Extrinsic vs. Intrinsic Motivation

When to Use Extrinsic Motivation

Most people assume that intrinsic motivation is best, but it is not always possible in every situation. Sometimes a person simply has no internal desire to engage in an activity. Offering excessive rewards can be problematic as well.

However, when they are used appropriately, extrinsic motivators can be a useful tool. For example, extrinsic motivation can get people to complete a work task or school assignment that they are not interested in.

Researchers have arrived at three primary conclusions regarding extrinsic rewards and their influence on intrinsic motivation:

Rewarding Minimal Effort Reduces Intrinsic Motivation

Intrinsic motivation will decrease when external rewards are given for completing a particular task or only doing minimal work.In other words, if you get rewarded for doing very little, you aren’t likely to find the activity intrinsically rewarding.

If parents heap lavish praise on their child every time they complete a simple task, the child will become less intrinsically motivated to perform that task.

Praise Can Increase Internal Motivation

Researchers have found that offering positive praise and feedback when people do something better than others can improve intrinsic motivation.

Unexpected Rewards Don’t Hurt Intrinsic Motivation

Unexpected external rewards do not decrease intrinsic motivation.If you get a good grade on a test because you enjoy learning about a subject and the teacher decides to reward you with a gift card to your favorite pizza place, your underlying motivation for learning about the subject will not be affected.

However, rewarding in this situation must be done with caution because people will sometimes come toexpectrewards.

How Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation Impact Learning

Both extrinsic and intrinsic motivation play a significant role in learning. Experts have argued that education’s traditional emphasis on external rewards (such as grades, report cards, and gold stars) undermines any existing intrinsic motivation that students might have.

Others have suggested that extrinsic motivators help students feel more competent in the classroom, which in turn enhances their intrinsic motivation.

Experts suggest that rewards don’t imperil intrinsic motivation when they are used to indicate that a person has performed well. In such cases, extrinsic rewards can help people feel proud and competent, which increases how much they enjoy the task.When used appropriately, such rewards can help boost motivation, creativity, and performance. Consider how extrinsic rewards like promotions, scholarships, and bonuses can help students and employees feel more encouraged to perform well.

Experts suggest that rewards don’t imperil intrinsic motivation when they are used to indicate that a person has performed well. In such cases, extrinsic rewards can help people feel proud and competent, which increases how much they enjoy the task.

When used appropriately, such rewards can help boost motivation, creativity, and performance. Consider how extrinsic rewards like promotions, scholarships, and bonuses can help students and employees feel more encouraged to perform well.

Takeaway

Understanding how each type of motivation works and when it is likely to be useful can help people perform tasks (even when they do not want to) and improve their learning.

The Psychology of Motivation

9 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Morris LS, Grehl MM, Rutter SB, Mehta M, Westwater ML.On what motivates us: a detailed review of intrinsicv.extrinsic motivation.Psychol Med. 2022;52(10):1801-1816. doi:10.1017/S0033291722001611Tranquillo J, Stecker M.Using intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in continuing professional education.Surg Neurol Int.2016;7(Suppl 7):S197-9. doi:10.4103/2152-7806.179231Lee W, Reeve J, Xue Y, Xiong J.Neural differences between intrinsic reasons for doing versus extrinsic reasons for doing: an fMRI study.Neurosci Res.2012;73(1):68-72. doi:10.1016/j.neures.2012.02.010Di domenico SI, Ryan RM.The emerging neuroscience of intrinsic motivation: A new frontier in self-determination research.Front Hum Neurosci.2017;11:145. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2017.00145Warneken F, Tomasello M.Extrinsic rewards undermine altruistic tendencies in 20-month-olds.Dev Psychol.2008;44(6):1785-8. doi:10.1037/a0013860Levy A, Deleon IG, Martinez CK, et al.A quantitative review of overjustification effects in persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.J Appl Behav Anal.2017;50(2):206-221. doi:10.1002/jaba.359Henderlong J, Lepper MR.The effects of praise on children’s intrinsic motivation: a review and synthesis.Psychol Bull. 2002;128(5):774-95.Czaicki NL, Dow WH, Njau PF, Mccoy SI.Do incentives undermine intrinsic motivation? Increases in intrinsic motivation within an incentive-based intervention for people living with HIV in Tanzania.PLoS ONE. 2018;13(6):e0196616. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0196616Oudeyer PY, Kaplan F.What is Intrinsic Motivation? A Typology of Computational Approaches.Front Neurorobot.2007;1:6. doi:10.3389/neuro.12.006.2007

9 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Morris LS, Grehl MM, Rutter SB, Mehta M, Westwater ML.On what motivates us: a detailed review of intrinsicv.extrinsic motivation.Psychol Med. 2022;52(10):1801-1816. doi:10.1017/S0033291722001611Tranquillo J, Stecker M.Using intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in continuing professional education.Surg Neurol Int.2016;7(Suppl 7):S197-9. doi:10.4103/2152-7806.179231Lee W, Reeve J, Xue Y, Xiong J.Neural differences between intrinsic reasons for doing versus extrinsic reasons for doing: an fMRI study.Neurosci Res.2012;73(1):68-72. doi:10.1016/j.neures.2012.02.010Di domenico SI, Ryan RM.The emerging neuroscience of intrinsic motivation: A new frontier in self-determination research.Front Hum Neurosci.2017;11:145. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2017.00145Warneken F, Tomasello M.Extrinsic rewards undermine altruistic tendencies in 20-month-olds.Dev Psychol.2008;44(6):1785-8. doi:10.1037/a0013860Levy A, Deleon IG, Martinez CK, et al.A quantitative review of overjustification effects in persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.J Appl Behav Anal.2017;50(2):206-221. doi:10.1002/jaba.359Henderlong J, Lepper MR.The effects of praise on children’s intrinsic motivation: a review and synthesis.Psychol Bull. 2002;128(5):774-95.Czaicki NL, Dow WH, Njau PF, Mccoy SI.Do incentives undermine intrinsic motivation? Increases in intrinsic motivation within an incentive-based intervention for people living with HIV in Tanzania.PLoS ONE. 2018;13(6):e0196616. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0196616Oudeyer PY, Kaplan F.What is Intrinsic Motivation? A Typology of Computational Approaches.Front Neurorobot.2007;1:6. doi:10.3389/neuro.12.006.2007

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Morris LS, Grehl MM, Rutter SB, Mehta M, Westwater ML.On what motivates us: a detailed review of intrinsicv.extrinsic motivation.Psychol Med. 2022;52(10):1801-1816. doi:10.1017/S0033291722001611Tranquillo J, Stecker M.Using intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in continuing professional education.Surg Neurol Int.2016;7(Suppl 7):S197-9. doi:10.4103/2152-7806.179231Lee W, Reeve J, Xue Y, Xiong J.Neural differences between intrinsic reasons for doing versus extrinsic reasons for doing: an fMRI study.Neurosci Res.2012;73(1):68-72. doi:10.1016/j.neures.2012.02.010Di domenico SI, Ryan RM.The emerging neuroscience of intrinsic motivation: A new frontier in self-determination research.Front Hum Neurosci.2017;11:145. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2017.00145Warneken F, Tomasello M.Extrinsic rewards undermine altruistic tendencies in 20-month-olds.Dev Psychol.2008;44(6):1785-8. doi:10.1037/a0013860Levy A, Deleon IG, Martinez CK, et al.A quantitative review of overjustification effects in persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.J Appl Behav Anal.2017;50(2):206-221. doi:10.1002/jaba.359Henderlong J, Lepper MR.The effects of praise on children’s intrinsic motivation: a review and synthesis.Psychol Bull. 2002;128(5):774-95.Czaicki NL, Dow WH, Njau PF, Mccoy SI.Do incentives undermine intrinsic motivation? Increases in intrinsic motivation within an incentive-based intervention for people living with HIV in Tanzania.PLoS ONE. 2018;13(6):e0196616. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0196616Oudeyer PY, Kaplan F.What is Intrinsic Motivation? A Typology of Computational Approaches.Front Neurorobot.2007;1:6. doi:10.3389/neuro.12.006.2007

Morris LS, Grehl MM, Rutter SB, Mehta M, Westwater ML.On what motivates us: a detailed review of intrinsicv.extrinsic motivation.Psychol Med. 2022;52(10):1801-1816. doi:10.1017/S0033291722001611

Tranquillo J, Stecker M.Using intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in continuing professional education.Surg Neurol Int.2016;7(Suppl 7):S197-9. doi:10.4103/2152-7806.179231

Lee W, Reeve J, Xue Y, Xiong J.Neural differences between intrinsic reasons for doing versus extrinsic reasons for doing: an fMRI study.Neurosci Res.2012;73(1):68-72. doi:10.1016/j.neures.2012.02.010

Di domenico SI, Ryan RM.The emerging neuroscience of intrinsic motivation: A new frontier in self-determination research.Front Hum Neurosci.2017;11:145. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2017.00145

Warneken F, Tomasello M.Extrinsic rewards undermine altruistic tendencies in 20-month-olds.Dev Psychol.2008;44(6):1785-8. doi:10.1037/a0013860

Levy A, Deleon IG, Martinez CK, et al.A quantitative review of overjustification effects in persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.J Appl Behav Anal.2017;50(2):206-221. doi:10.1002/jaba.359

Henderlong J, Lepper MR.The effects of praise on children’s intrinsic motivation: a review and synthesis.Psychol Bull. 2002;128(5):774-95.

Czaicki NL, Dow WH, Njau PF, Mccoy SI.Do incentives undermine intrinsic motivation? Increases in intrinsic motivation within an incentive-based intervention for people living with HIV in Tanzania.PLoS ONE. 2018;13(6):e0196616. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0196616

Oudeyer PY, Kaplan F.What is Intrinsic Motivation? A Typology of Computational Approaches.Front Neurorobot.2007;1:6. doi:10.3389/neuro.12.006.2007

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