Intrinsic motivation

Intrinsic-Extrinsic motivation It would analyze the propositional aspect of behavior, but would make more emphasis on the analysis of individual differences based on this motivational variable. Intrinsic motivation is the reason to carry out an action when there is no external reward in between. The actions are carried out only for their interest or personal satisfaction that derives from its realization. It's based on needs internal of competition and self -determination.

Intrinsic motivation

The individual is considered an active agent, oriented towards the choice of their behavior from the evaluation of both psychological needs and opportunities present in their environment. In the study of Deci On intrinsic motivation (making a puzzle receiving money or not) the results showed that the subjects that had been offered money worked on the task longer only until the payment was made. In the phase of free choice, the non -rewarded subjects showed a greater tendency to continue with the puzzle. The experience of being rewarded leads people to change the causality of their action, from internal to external. These results supported the idea that intrinsic motivation (or self -determined) and extrinsic (or heterodeterminated) were antagonistic; However, several studies showed that, under certain circumstances, external rewards may not affect or even increase intrinsic motivation.

Deci He found that if the positive reinforcement was verbal (good performance), instead of decreases intrinsic motivation, it increased in relation to those who did not receive information. The way in which such competition information affects execution is modulated by two personality factors:

• Sex: men respond more favorably to positive verbal feedback (they perceive praise as a competition statement); Women can perceive it as an external control form.
• The attributive style: The degree to which people take credit from their positive results influences the competition feedback and intrinsic motivation: those that make internal powers better react.

The extrinsically motivated behaviors will be considered self -determinated to the extent that they are perceived as internally caused, while the intrinsically motivated action is self -determinated by definition. Deci and Ryan They formulate the Self -determination theory aimed at describing the effects of certain external events on motivation. If these events promote the belief that the person controls the results and favor a sense of competence, intrinsic motivation will be increased.

If events favor the perception of incompetence and lack of control, intrinsic motivation will weaken. From a humanistic motivational cut, Self is defined, not as a set of cognitive mechanisms and structures, but as a set of motivational processes with a variety of regulation and assimilation functions. The self would be the process by which the person contacts the social environment and works towards his integration with him, modifying different personal aspects to be able to satisfy, more adequately, and socially adapted, the 3 basic psychological needs:

1. The need for autonomy or self -determination: people's desire to be agents of their actions in determining their own behavior (desire for internal control).
2. The need for competition: efforts to control the results and experience efficiency.
3. The need for interrelation: efforts of people to relate to others, take care and be careful and feel included in social reality.

The concept of internalization is introduced to call the process by which people make their adaptation to the environment, accepting social norms and values ​​that are not intrinsically attractive. Under certain conditions, extrinsically motivated behaviors can be seen as self -determined, increasing intrinsic motivation. There are 4 types of extrinsic regulation:

• External regulation: Describe behaviors regulated by contingencies external to the subject (eg. a threat).
• Introjected regulation: behaviors regulated by internal pressures, as aspects related to self -esteem (because it must ...).

These behaviors continue to have an external causality locus by the source that begins them, which, although internal to the person, is external to their integrated sense of self.

Identified regulation: behaviors regulated by personally important aspects (I must study because it is important for me). There is an acceptance of external regulation, perceiving as its own.

Integrated regulation: The most autonomous form of extrinsic motivation. Results from the perfect integration of external regulation into the self; Thus the person does not feel controlled by external forces. This form, together with intrinsic motivation, are the basis of self -determined functioning. The regulation of the actions can be seen as not motivated, controlled or self -determined.

Uncogied behaviors: they occur without intentionality, perceiving as externally caused. Controlled behaviors: They are externally regulated. They are driven by some internal or external force, one feels that "must" carry them out.

Self -determined behaviors: intrinsically motivated or by an integrated external regulation. The last 2 are intentional, although only self -determined include a true sense of freedom in choice of what one wants to do.

Intrinsically motivated people:

1. Prefer to choose what they have to do
2. When you can choose between several options, they choose tasks that imply a certain level of challenge.
3. Respond with greater effort and persistence after failure.
4. They develop greater cognitive flexibility when using problem solving strategies.
5. They show higher levels of creativity, spontaneity and expressiveness.
6. They would guide their need for competence towards overcoming personal challenges.

The extrinsically motivated would guide her to obtain good results, but associated with feelings of tension and pressure, from external agents. In order for achievement motivation to be activated, 3 common aspects must be involved with intrinsic motivation: a certain level of challenge, perceive self -determination in the task and receive information or feedback about its execution.

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