15 Examples of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation

Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation

The motivation it is the impulse that moves people to develop different tasks or activities. Intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation are two complementary and different types of motivation.

Motivations appear in all areas in which the person develops a task or activity. They can be at work, school, losing weight, playing tennis. It is the source of energy that allows you to persevere in a certain task, achieve the proposed objectives, create habits, try new things.

Both types of motivation can be presented in a positive or negative way; the objective is to understand them as a whole and try to satisfy them.

Theory of self-determination

The types of motivation were specified by the theory of self-determination developed by psychologists Edward L. Deci and Richard Ryan.

His objective was to understand what type of motivation guided people in different areas: educational, work, recreation, sports.

They found that social and environmental factors help or hinder motivations intrinsic, and that man has three basic psychological needs, which are the basis of the self motivation:

Characteristics of a person with intrinsic motivation

Characteristics of a person with extrinsic motivation

Examples of an intrinsically motivated person

1. Practice a hobby.
2. Learn without looking for a grade for that activity.
3. Help a person to cross the street.
4. Attend a dining room to serve dinner or lunch.
5. Donate clothes for homeless people.
6. Improve knowledge about something.
7. Go to work because we enjoy our work.

Examples of a person with extrinsic motivation

1. Work for money.
2. Extra rewards for extra work hours.
3. Study for a grade.
4. Reach a specific goal at work to receive gifts or rewards.
5. Change jobs for the motivation of tangible benefits and not for the task itself.
6. Pass an exam to receive a gift from our parents.
7. Seeking someone's recognition for our work.