Intrinsic Versus Extrinsic Motivation

Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivators

Intrinsic motivation is a drive from within oneself that can spark a search for information, generate action, and stimulate further curiosity. Intrinsic motivators include feelings of competence, pride, and internalized values such as diligence and integrity. Factors that help propel this internal drive might be suspense, appropriate feedback, meaningful learning (e.g., bridging the unknown and the known, being current), controversy and contradiction, and a need for autonomy. Tasks that demand active problem solving or high-order or divergent thinking, and that require investigating, conjecture, or logistical thought may be more intrinsically motivating for gifted learners, who may be less interested in tasks that involve simple procedural responses, basic applications, or memorizing. Students will be more intrinsically motivated by challenging learning goals, those that will help them gain new skills and master knowledge—not too easy, not too difficult but, rather, those perceived as moderately difficult and realizable such that levels of competency can be developed and met. These levels, as well as internalized value systems and the appropriate degree of challenge, vary from one person to the next.

Extrinsic motivation refers to external factors or incentives (such as applause or praise) that can reinforce and stimulate efforts. Such motivators can help build self-esteem and intrinsic motivation. Striking an optimal arousal level for extrinsically motivating individuals depends on the complexity of the task, the goal, an individual's beliefs about his or her own abilities, and various external influences (such as past experiences, chance of success, and learning environment). At a basic level, extrinsic motivators might include rewards such as grades, candy, or gold stars. At a more sophisticated level, one might consider incorporating student interest, hands-on applications, targeted assistance, and fostering self-regulation. These kinds of opportunities to succeed can, in turn, facilitate intrinsic motivation. Reinforcing efforts and persistence, and helping students to cultivate a growth mindset about the nature of intelligence—that is, understanding it as being incremental and not fixed—are other ways to increase intrinsic motivation.

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