Question

Explain the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and the role they play to motivate you in your life. Does one or both describe you? Using terms and concepts from the week to support your answer, what types of incentives work or do not work for you and why?  Give specific examples.  Which theories learned this week best fits with your example(s)?

Answer 1

Self-determination theory is the theory that attempts to explain the goal directed behaviour of people. According to this theory either extrinsic or intrinsic motivation is the cause behind a person's goal directed behaviour.

Intrinsic motivation can be defined as the type of motivation that is based on the principles of autonomy, self satisfaction, self esteem and purpose that is influenced by internal factors for personal satisfaction and sense of achievement. Extrinsic motivation can be defined as the type of motivation that is based on the premise of reward, punishment or external obligation and thus motivated by external factors. Thus intrinsic motivation is at a deeper level and learning that occurs through this form of motivation occurs at a deeper level while the learning that occurs through extrinsic motivation is only surface learning. While intrinsic motivation can lead to profound changes in an individual the same doesn't hold true for extrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation lasts for a longer period of time while extrinsic motivation doesn't.

Intrinsic motivation describes me more than extrinsic motivation. This is so because extrinsic factors for motivation such as praise, punishment or obligation seems like restrictions and restrains on oneself that one doesn't enjoy. While doing any work it's best to be motivated by intrinsic factors such as love for what you are doing, self satisfaction and sense of achievement.

The incentives that fulfill my heirarchy of needs such as physiological needs, need for love and belonging, need for safety and need for self actualization best describe the incentives that work for me.

These incentives are in line with the humanistic theory of motivation that is Abraham maslow's heirarchy of needs.