What is the Difference between Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation?



Motivation refers to the why of behaviour. Hence we question one's Motivation, we ask-why does he do what he is doing? This is an attempt to understand the reason behind an action.

The reason could be the driving force behind a student to take some challenges or leave them. The concept of motivation accounts for differences is school achievement beyond those resulting from differences in intelligence or scholastic aptitude.

The concept is used to account for differences in behaviour in the same student and also differences between similar types of students. Motivation is the term used to describe what energies and directs a student and sustains his activity. It is sometimes compared with the engine and steering wheel of an automobile. Energy and direction are at the centre of the concept of motivation to perform an activity.

Difference between Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation:

Intrinsic motivation is satisfied by internal reinforces or factors and this does not depend on external goals while extrinsic motivation depends on needs that are satisfied by external reinforces. If you are intrinsically motivated, you will perform an activity because you enjoy it.

An extrinsic motivator supplies an outside reward. If you envoy learning in itself, you are intrinsically motivated. On the other hand if you are studying to earn a course credit, certificate or degree, you are extrinsically motivated. You have both types of motivation in studying.

Learning is far more long lasting when it is sustained by intrinsic motivation. Extrinsic motivation, however, may be necessary to get the student to initiate certain actions or to get the learning process started. Besides enjoying learning, if the student looks forward for a good grade, a well paid job, he qualifies for both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.

Psychologists have found that some behaviour may be internally motivated for some students and externally for other students. Motivation express the reason of the behaviour when student take part in teaching learning process then there is some reason which motivate him/her to take part in process. Here we shall discuss various theories of motivation with the help of suitable examples.