The most common example of extrinsic motivation with a tangible reward is working for money. But once that creative work is released into the world, the ego can hijack the process, and seek acclaim. The creative process can be a liberating and joyful experience. But at times, when I write a piece that I’m proud of, and the response is less than expected, I become aware of my inner desire for external rewards. It wasn’t my only motivation to write (it’s a practice I find highly rewarding). Using some personal data as an example, I’ve noticed there have been times where I’ve written articles that, unconsciously, I was looking for some form of validation or praise. That’s because it might appear you’re intrinsically motivated, when in reality, there is confusion between the internal reward you’re expecting to receive once the task is complete. If you’re on the path of self-development and are interested in exploring the reasons behind your behavior, noticing this difference requires reflection and self-awareness. Extrinsic motivation can be driven by internal rewards, external rewards, or a mix of both. Intrinsic motivation is driven by internal reward, including the joy of the task alone. Internal rewards are psychological, while external rewards are tangible, such as money or a certificate of study. Not all rewards are located in the outside world, but rather, exist as inner experiences or feelings. To be clear, extrinsic isn’t the same as external. The difference between internal and external motivation (Seiya Kawamoto/Getty) The value of extrinsic motivation, then, is related to this degree of autonomy. In experimenting with these above types of extrinsic motivation, Ryan and Connell (1989) referred to this scale as the “continuum of relative autonomy.”
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The first feels completely outside of control, the last feels harmonious, and borderline intrinsic.
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These behaviors move up the scale in terms of how much the person experiences a sense of freedom or autonomy in their behaviour. This is the most desirable form of extrinsic motivation. Integration occurs when someone has fully internalised extrinsic factors, and now takes on the activity fully as their own.
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