Intrinsic Versus Extrinsic Motivation

Motivation is an internal process that involves initiating, maintaining, and governing self-oriented behavior. It is inextricably tied to one's expectations of success, and the ways in which one values a given task at hand. Motivation has a direct bearing on how individuals focus their attention, and on levels of persistence, and it is linked to personal perceptions of capabilities with respect to activities and learning. Motivation to learn relates to finding enjoyment in understanding and mastery. It may be associated with such triggers as curiosity, instinct, or need.

From an educational perspective, motivation is the desire to do something well (as may be gauged against certain performance-referenced criteria). It can affect students' participation in class, their task commitment, and the amount of pleasure they derive from ...