Intrinsic motivation in psychology what is, types and examples

Motivation is the expression of the reasons that induce a person to perform or tend towards a certain action. From a psychological point of view, it can be defined as the set of dynamic factors with a certain origin that drive the behavior of an individual towards a specific goal; According to this conception, any act that is carried out without motivation runs the risk of failing.

There are different types of motivation. Among which we find extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. In this psychology-online article, we will deepen together in what which is intrinsic motivation in psychology, The different types and some examples.

1. What is intrinsic motivation
2. Types of intrinsic motivation
3. Differences between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation

What is intrinsic motivation

The concept of intrinsic motivation was initially used by psychology to explain various "spontaneous" behaviors such as the exploration of new spaces and the manipulation of interesting objects, behaviors that seemed to occur regardless of each "reinforcement contingency". Gradually, the concept has acquired a broader meaning to explain a wide range of activities aimed at achieving relevant objectives for subjects.

We define intrinsic motivation the set of positive sensations associated with the fact of performing an activity or work well, the motivation caused by the desire to obtain certain results. People intrinsically motivated They act for the taste of fun or challenge included in the objective, rather than for external rewards, pressures or demands. Motivation comes from the psychological rewards associated with success in a task that likes.

It is important to note that when talking about intrinsic motivation there are individual differences: people are intrinsically motivated with respect to certain activities and not with respect to others, and not all are regarding the same activities. Ryan and Deci identify at the base of intrinsic motivation three Innate psychological needs that support the optimal functioning and development of the individual:

• The need for competition.
• The need for autonomy.
• The need for rationality.

In the following article we explain the types of motivation in psychology: definition and examples.

Types of intrinsic motivation

Daniel Pink is a modern business and management author, with strong attention to the changing nature of work and its places. In his book "Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us" (2009) focuses on the importance and efficacy of Three elements of intrinsic motivation at work:

1. Autonomy: It is the desire to direct one's own life, and allow the autonomy of employees is contrary to the traditional vision that the employees "respect" what they are asked. However, if managers want employees to get more involved in what they are doing, they should allow autonomy.
2. Domain: Master is the desire to continuously improve Something that counts. Humans like to improve things and enjoy the satisfaction of results and personal progress. Allowing employees to enjoy a sense of progress at work contributes to their inner impulse. On the contrary, a lack of opportunities at work for self-improvement or personal and professional development can cause employees to be boring and demotivated.
3. Purpose: is The desire to do things at the service of something bigger than ourselves. People want to do things that matter. Most of us spend more than half of our hours at work, and that is why we want that time to be important.

Differences between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation

• Unlike intrinsic motivation, which leads to do something for pure taste to do it, Extrinsic motivation guides the behavior of the person who performs a task to obtain a specific result. Extrinsic motivation is fed by the individual's desire to avoid or obtain, through their own behavior, certain consequences.
• The Internal stimuli They generate intrinsic motivation and are determined by the desire and satisfaction of achieving an objective; the External stimuli They are out of the individual's control and generate extrinsic motivation: in these cases, the subject undertakes to perform a task to obtain benefits or avoid negative circumstances.
• Students intrinsically motivated to study benefit from learning activity and, therefore, are interested in the study itself and not in the advantages derived from school success; For them, the acquisition of new skills and the improvement of their knowledge is important, even through errors and attempts not crowned by success. Extrinsically motivated students, on the other hand, are committed to the study for reasons external to it, for example for Receive good grades: In many cases they prefer a positive evaluation in simple tasks, instead of running the risk of a negative evaluation in more demanding and important tasks. Obviously, one motivation is not better than the other.

This article is merely informative, in psychology-online we have no power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

If you want to read more articles similar to Intrinsic motivation in psychology: what is, types and examples, We recommend that you enter our category of basic psychology.