Intrinsic Vs. Extrinsic Motivation

alyshadoria

Motivation is an interesting concept. There are some things that motivate us to our core; we want to explore, know more, learn everything we can about the topic at hand, and relay that information back to whoever is willing to listen. On the other hand, there are other things we do (those pesky “required” tasks or learning endeavors) that just don’t make the cut when it comes to motivating ourselves. I am talking about Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic motivation.

Intrinsic Motivation

According to Dirksen (2012), intrinsically motivated learners are ones who are interested in the topic for itself. Let’s say that I am a student who is studying Photoshop. My intrinsic motivation could be because I have a hobby taking photos at family events, and want to learn how to make them brighter, sharper, less rigid, and so on and so forth. I have a problem that needs to be addressed and I address that by taking the class to learn how to come up with a solution.

Research shows that intrinsic motivation stems from a psychological need of competence and self-determination (Deci & Ryan, 1985, as cited in Vallerand, Pelletier, Blais, Briere, Senecal & Vallieres, 1993).

Extrinsic Motivation

Extrinsic motivation is a little bit different. Extrinsically motivated learners are motivated by some type of reward or punishment (Dirksen, 2012). Let’s say that my cousin Paul is also taking the Photoshop class with me, but he must take it because it is part of a Website Design Diploma he is working towards. Paul is “required” to take Photoshop, but his interests like more within Adobe Dreamweaver and Adobe Animate. Paul is taking the class because he has to. His outside reward is his diploma, and he does not receive it until he completes Photoshop. There is a means to an end for this type of learner and the learning does not happen for their own sake (Deci & Ryan, 1985, as cited in Vallerand, Pelletier, Blais, Briere, Senecal & Vallieres, 1993).

 

The types of learners; Intrinsically or Extrinsically Motivated

Dirksen (2012) describes 7 types of learners:

  1. Just tell me what I need to know; these learners like lists and run-throughs on how to do things
  2. I need to solve a problem; these learners are highly motivated to solve their problem
  3. Ooooh Shiny; this learner has short distributed attention
  4. Hey this is Cool; this learner has a LOT of motivation and curiosity
  5. This is a required course; this learner may need some convincing that the material is useful
  6. I fear change; this learner has the “that is not how I have done it before” mantra
  7. I pretty much know all of this; this learner is quick to understand the material

So, are we able to match these types of learners to whether or not they would be intrinsically or extrinsically motivated? Give it a try…

If I had to take an educated guess (and educated it will be), I would probably match them like this:

Intrinsic

Just tell me what I need to know

I need to solve a problem

Hey this is Cool

 

Extrinsic

Ooooh Shiny

This is a required course

I fear change

I pretty much know all of this

 

**(If you have any ideas or thoughts on where one might go please feel free to comment)

 

The Vocational Learner

Vocational training refers to preparing students for specific jobs and provides necessary skills to work in that vocation (MAESD, 2017). The vocational learner has generally chosen to upgrade their skills or switch their career path and has made these determinations after research of the courses that are available to them through private institutions.

Why do I bring up the vocational learner you ask? I find that the vocational learner has the extrinsically motivated intrinsic motivation (too much?) Let me explain. The vocational learner is motivated extrinsically because they are looking for their reward of a career change, upgraded skills relating to their profession, and internship host companies who are willing to help make them job ready; the ultimate extrinsic motivator; THE NEW CAREER! But wait, as a whole, the vocational learner is intrinsically motivated. Vocational programs are geared towards specific industry related skills. This means that students do not have to take electives in order to fulfill their diploma requirements to graduate. All courses are required, but specific to the career path the student is looking for. The student has researched, visited schools, been interviewed at great length to ensure that the program is right for them, and at the end of it all, they are intrinsically motivated by taking the program at the school that interests them most. The vocational student takes the program for BOTH enjoyment and the external reward of being job ready.

 

References

Dirksen, J. (2012). Design for How People Learn (Voices that Matter). Berkeley, CA: New Riders, Kindle edition.

Vallerand, R.J., Pelletier, L.G., Blais, M.R., Briere, N.M, Senecal C., & Vallieres, E.F. (1993). On the assessment of intrinsic, extrinsic, and amotivation in education: Evidence on the concurrent and construct validity of the academic motivation scale. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 53, 159-172. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/0013164493053001018

 

Further Reading

Self Determination Theory

Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation in Education: Definition & Examples

Dan Pink: The Puzzle of Motivation

 

 

Published by alyshadoria

Alysha Doria works in the private career college sector in Ontario for Herzing College. She is currently Regional Director of Compliance for Ontario locations and an Academic Director for immigration consultant online and Kompass Professional Development (a subsidiary of Herzing). Her primary focus is curriculum development for Kompass. She seeks to develop certificate programs that allow individuals advance their skills in their field. In the last year, Alysha has developed three professional development certificate programs and has gone through two accreditation processes for Immigration Consultant and Mediation. Recently, Alysha has been promoted to a Systems Administrator for Academics where she participates in technological developments, diffusion of technology into the organization, and assists in streamlining academic processes Canada wide.

Leave a comment