Extrinsic motivation: definition, characteristics and effects

Motivation is the force that drives people to carry out any type of activity or to initiate and maintain all the projects that are proposed. This motivation acts both at a professional or academic level, such as starting a competitive examination; as in a personal sphere, for example starting a weight loss diet.

To achieve these objectives, the person relies on a series of motivations that can be intrinsic or extrinsic. Throughout this article we will explain what extrinsic motivation consists of, as well as the differences that it maintains with the intrinsic one and what stages the person goes through through this type of motivation.

Related article: "Types of motivation: the 8 motivational sources"

What is extrinsic motivation?

Extrinsic motivation refers to the type of motivation in which the reasons that lead a person to perform a certain job or activity are located outside of it; or what is the same, are subject to contingencies or external factors.

In this kind of motivation the incentives or reinforcements, both positive and negative, are external and are beyond the control of the person. Therefore, all those types of prizes or rewards that we obtain or are granted when carrying out a certain task or work are conceived as extrinsic motivation.

The example of external motivation par excellence is the salary that a person receives in exchange for doing their job. Another example may be those rewards or prizes that parents give to their children in exchange for them achieving good academic performance.

Finally, another less material example consists of the praise and recognition that a person can receive after successfully completing a task.

However, in most cases in which the motivation is exclusively extrinsic, it is ends up producing a decrease in performance regardless of the scope to which it is done reference. So extrinsic motivation is not a good ally for long-term projects.

External rewards separate the person from the motivation that really matters: intrinsic motivation. It is proven that when a person begins an activity or task motivated by internal factors and later external rewards are added, efficiency and productivity decrease with the weather. The explanation is simple, something that begins for the mere pleasure of doing an activity ends up being perceived as an obligation and is not enjoyed in the same way.

However, this does not imply that all extrinsic motivation is harmful. The feeling after receiving a reward or award for a job well done is always pleasant and pleasant, but this should not end up replacing the satisfaction or delight that the activity itself provides.

Differences between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation

As mentioned above, there is another type of motivation other than extrinsic and it is that motivation that is born from within the person.

Both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation constitute two completely different forms of motivation, but they have in common that Both can be presented in a positive or negative way and are capable of exerting both effects on the performance of the company. person.

Here's what these types of positive and negative motivation consist of:

1. Positive motivation

In this type of motivation, the person initiates, directs and sustains her performance with the intention of obtaining some type of reward.. In extrinsic motivation it can be an economic reward or prize and in intrinsic motivation the self-gratification or satisfaction that the task itself brings to the individual. These rewards act as reinforcers of behavior.

2. Negative motivation

In these cases, the person initiates or maintains a behavior or activity with the aim of avoiding or avoiding a consequence that he considers unpleasant. When this negative consequence comes from the outside, it can be tried to avoid some kind of punishment, while when comes from within it is possible that what the person tries to avoid is a feeling of frustration at a possible failure.

Regarding the main differences between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation, intrinsic motivation has its origin in the same person who performs the activity and the extrinsic is prompted by factors or external agents to her.

There are a series of factors that influence motivation, in the case of intrinsic motivation this is determined by internal agents such as interest, satisfaction, self-realization or needs internal. In addition, when the motivation comes from within the person is able to maintain this spirit for a longer time, hence this type of motivation is so important.

Meanwhile, in extrinsic motivation the person does expect some kind of gratification, retribution or external recognition. Among the elements that give rise to this motivation are external pressure, the need for recognition or the need for social support.

Likewise, both forms of motivation can appear both together and independently and be used in any area in which the person has to carry out a conduct, task or activity with a specific purpose. Either a productive end (production of a company) or a personal end (lose weight).

Phases of extrinsic motivation

According to a theory developed by researchers Deci and Ryan in 1985, there are a series of stages or stages through which the person can go from a phase in which the motivation is purely external, to a final stage in which he is able to integrate and assume the purpose of his activity as his own.

However, these stages are not all mandatory. That is, a person can start at stage 3 and constantly evolve or stay in one state.

1. External motivation

In this first stage, motivation is completely determined by external factors.. The person does not have any type of control over it and performs the task only by external demand and waiting for a reward.

2. Introjected motivation

In this second case, the goal continues to be to meet a demand made from abroad.However, the retribution or satisfaction is internal. This motivation is related to self-esteem, to self-realization, but the person is still not in absolute control.

3. Motivation regulated by identification

In this third stage, the person maintains his behavior or executes the task for reasons external to it.. However, he has even more autonomy and sufficiency to make decisions about the reward.

4. Motivation by integration

It is the last stage in which motivation is practically intrinsic. At this stage the person incorporates the purpose as his own. However, it cannot be categorized as intrinsic since the activity is not carried out for the mere satisfaction of doing it. Even so, compared to the rest of the stadiums, this is the one in which the person obtains a better performance.