Chapter 6 Extrinsic Motivation (human motivation)

Definition: Intrinsic motivation refers to engaging in behavior because it is inherently enjoyable or satisfying, rather than for some separable outcome.
Results Of: It arises from internal satisfaction and involves a desire to engage in an activity for its own sake.

Engagement: Leads to increased participation in activities.
Creativity: Fosters creative thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Conceptual Understanding: Enhances understanding of concepts and material.
High-quality Learning: Results in deeper, more sustained learning outcomes.
Optimal Functioning and Well-being: Contributes to mental health and overall life satisfaction.
Enjoyment: Engaging in activities that individuals find enjoyable reinforces motivation.
Curiosity: Fuels a desire to learn and explore.
Autonomy: Satisfies the need for self-direction in one's actions.
- Autonomy Need Satisfaction: Fulfilling the need for autonomy boosts intrinsic motivation.
Psychological Satisfaction: The satisfaction of competence needs is crucial for fostering intrinsic motivation.
Relatedness Need Satisfaction: Meeting social connections and belonging enhances intrinsic motivation.

Providing environmental conditions that satisfy psychological needs can significantly enhance intrinsic motivation across individuals.

Definition: Extrinsic motivation involves undertaking an activity to achieve an external reward or avoid a punishment.
Comparison: Contrasts with intrinsic motivation, where actions are driven by inherent satisfaction.
Outcomes of Extrinsic Motivation: May include various forms of motivation such as rewards or punishments.

Positive Reinforcement: Adding a desirable stimulus to increase behavior.
- Example: Giving praise or rewards for good performance (e.g., receiving a good grade for effort).
Negative Reinforcement: Removing an aversive stimulus to increase behavior.
- Example: Allowing extra playtime if chores are completed.
Punishment: Aimed at decreasing a behavior.
- Positive Punishment: Adding an aversive consequence (e.g., detention for misbehavior).
- Negative Punishment: Removing a pleasant stimulus (e.g., no outings due to poor behavior).

Potential Negative Outcomes:
- Build resentment amongst individuals leading to temporary compliance.
- Can lead to negative emotionality and impaired relationships.
- Potential for poorer mental health outcomes.
- May provide poor modeling for behavior leading to negative patterns.

Reinforces emotional aspects, leading to increased happiness and well-being.
Can improve compliance without the negative effects associated with extrinsic rewards.
Potential for positive informational effects, enhancing competence through positive reinforcement.

Effects of External Events on Motivation: Dependent on how the event is perceived in terms of control and competence.
- Control Perception:
- If seen as controlling, autonomy decreases and extrinsic motivation increases.
- If perceived as informational about one’s competence, intrinsic motivation may increase.

Classifying External Events:
- If an external event is designed to control behavior:
- Leads to decreased autonomy and possibly decreased intrinsic motivation.
- If intended to provide information on competence:
- A positive effect enhances competence and intrinsic motivation, a negative effect diminishes it.

Identifying Motivation:
- Four main categories of extrinsic motivation can be identified, each influencing behavior differently.
Controlled vs Autonomous Motivation:
- Controlled motivation lacks internal ownership, while autonomous motivation reflects internalization and personal endorsement of the activity.
Internalization Process: Involves managing the transition from external regulation to intrinsic motivation, where an externally-driven activity becomes an internally-endorsed one based on feelings of competence and autonomy.