WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INTRINSIC AND EXTRINSIC MOTIVATION?

1) External Motivator

Extrinsic motivation is an external form of motivation. For example, if your boss sets a deadline on a project and your bonus is tied to the deadline, that is a very clear form of extrinsic motivation. In fact, this example includes two extrinsic motivators: your boss's expectations and the bonus. So, extrinsic motivation doesn't always have to be another person, but it is some outside demand, obligation, or reward that requires the achievement of a particular goal.

2) Internal Motivator

Intrinsic motivation, however, is an internal form of motivation. You strive towards a goal for personal satisfaction or accomplishment. You may even work towards a long-term reward such as the development of a business or participating in a competition, but the primary motivator is internal.

EXAMPLES

You may have heard the story about the old man who had an empty lot next to his house. Every afternoon the neighborhood children played baseball in the lot. The old man, annoyed by all the yelling and commotion, developed a plan to stop the children from using the lot. One day while they were playing, he told them that he would pay each of them $5 every day they came to play in the lot. They thought he was a little nuts but were thrilled to be paid to do something they did anyway. After a few days, he told them he couldn't afford to pay the $5 but still wanted them to play in the lot, and asked if they would accept $1. They grumbled a little but agreed to take the $1. A few days more passed and he approached them with an apology telling them that he wouldn't be able to pay them anymore but hoped that they would still play in the lot anyway. The children responded by refusing to play in the "stinking" lot if he wasn't going to pay them.

This story is a good example of changing intrinsic motivation to extrinsic motivation. At first the children played in the lot for the enjoyment of it. However, once the man started paying them, their motivator became the money which was extrinsic motivation. Once that motivator disappeared, they no longer had the desire to play in the lot.

I experienced a similar situation with a hobby of mine. I enjoyed decorating cakes for family and friends for special occasions. When in college, I decided to make some extra money by starting a business of decorating cakes. However, as the business grew, my interest and enjoyment in decorating cakes declined. Eventually, I quit the business and didn't make cakes for anyone except my son for about five years. I found that as a hobby I did for personal enjoyment became tied to extrinsic reward (money) I began to dislike it and it became a chore or a demand.

Persistency of Behavior

Therefore, intrinsic motivation is more likely to lead to persistent behavior toward a goal when external motivators are not present. However, as you may realize, motivation needs to be based upon the circumstances and the personality of the individual involved. For instance, some people are satisfied with external reward and demand in a job situation and don't desire to develop personal goals. Or an athlete may be purely motivated by the excitement and adulation of the crowd. However, an individual who desires to achieve goals outside of a structured situation or outside rewards needs to have an intrinsic form of motivation.  PAGE 3

Intro--page 1

What is the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation?--page 2

How does normal motivation develop?--page 3

What prevents the development of the proper balance of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation?--page 4

How is too much need for extrinsic motivation problematic?--page 5

How do you develop more intrinsic motivation?--page 6