What is the Difference Between Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation?

The main difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation lies in the source of the motivation. Intrinsic motivation arises from within an individual and is associated with the inherent satisfaction derived from an activity, while extrinsic motivation comes from external factors, such as rewards or punishments.

Intrinsic motivation is characterized by:

The undertaking of an activity for its inherent satisfaction.
The drive coming from within the individual.
Examples include exploration, curiosity, and the enjoyment of the activity itself.

Extrinsic motivation, on the other hand, is characterized by:

Behavior driven by external rewards or punishments, which can be concrete or abstract.
The drive coming from outside the individual.
Examples include monetary rewards, social respect, or avoiding shame.

Research has shown that the quality of experience and performance can be quite different when one is behaving for intrinsic versus extrinsic reasons. In general, intrinsic motivation is associated with a more enjoyable and fulfilling experience, while extrinsic motivation is often linked to a more goal-oriented and task-dependent approach.

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What is the Difference Between Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation?

Comparative Table: Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Motivation

Here is a table summarizing the differences between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation:

Feature	Intrinsic Motivation	Extrinsic Motivation
Source	Internal rewards and drivers, such as the joy of learning or satisfaction from completing a task	External factors, such as money, recognition, or avoiding punishment
Focus	The task itself and the enjoyment derived from it	The outcome or reward associated with the task
Alignment with Values	Aligns with a person's values and interests	May not always align with a person's values and interests
Satisfaction of Psychological Needs	Satisfies basic psychological needs for competence and autonomy	Does not fully satisfy basic psychological needs, but provides external benefits
Driven by	A person's own desires and needs	Other sources, usually external factors
Balance	Can be used together with extrinsic motivation to achieve an optimal balance of motivation	Focuses on external reward systems, making it potentially less sustainable than intrinsic motivation

Intrinsic motivation refers to engaging in an activity because it is enjoyable or rewarding in itself, while extrinsic motivation arises from external factors, such as money, recognition, or avoiding punishment. Intrinsic motivation aligns with a person's values and interests, while extrinsic motivation may not always do so. Finding the right balance between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation can maximize overall motivation and lead to more sustainable results.

Guilherme Mazui

Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.