Differences Between Extrinsic and 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.

Researchers have found that each type has a different effect on a person's behavior and pursuit of goals.1 To better understand the influence of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation on human behavior, it will help to learn how each type works.

Is It Extrinsic or Intrinsic Motivation?

What Is Extrinsic Motivation?

Extrinsic motivation is when we are motivated to perform a behavior or engage in an activity because we want to earn a reward or avoid punishment.1 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.

Understanding Extrinsic Motivation

What Is Intrinsic Motivation? 

Intrinsic motivation is 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.