Comments on: Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation

By: Angela Page

Angela Page — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 06:20:35 +0000

I came across this quote during my studying days, and it’s always stuck with me:

“Research has shown that under certain conditions offering extrinsic rewards for engaging in tasks actually undermines intrinsic interest in a task.” (Stipek, 1996)

The diagram says it all, really, so how can we get away form this mentality? Good luck at toothbrush time!

By: Is extrinsic enough motivation? | Say When.

Is extrinsic enough motivation? | Say When. — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 05:30:02 +0000

[...] been mulling this over and finally remembered Hoover’s example as @rbvandijk posted intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation. It is accurate graph but I thought Hoover’s example might be still more useful to help [...]

By: Steven Stolpman

Steven Stolpman — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 05:03:57 +0000

Intrinsic does not mean “wants to do it” but that I want to do it for its own sake. Furthermore, just because something I don’t want to do something doesn’t mean it’s extrinsic exactly. (example borrowed from Stephen Hoover’s CEEP class)

Consider the idea that I’d never just want to jog for jogging sake. I kinda dislike jogging. But, I can value jogging because it improves my health – that’s extrinsic but an internally regulated idea. I can value jogging because it seems attractive to women – that’s extrinsic and based on external social comparisons. I can value jogging because it gets me away from housework, that’s extrinsic. Maybe I jog because I want to be a police officer – this is not intrinsic either, but also extrinsic motivation.
The only intrinsic motivation is if, I jog because I love jogging for jogging sake. If that’s the only tool I have to motivate my students, I’ll be sunk.