Intrinsic Motivation
Intrinsic motivation is defined as the doing of an activity for its inherent satisfaction rather than for some separable consequence. When intrinsically motivated, a person is moved to act for the fun or challenge entailed rather than because of external products, pressures, or rewards.
Intrinsic motivation refers to the drive to engage in an activity for its own sake instead of being motivated by external rewards or pressures. When people are intrinsically motivated, they are more likely to be engaged, persistent, and creative in their pursuits,
There are several critical factors to intrinsic motivation. One is autonomy or the sense of control and self-determination that people experience when they can set their own goals and make their own choices. Another is competence or the feeling of mastery and effectiveness that comes from feeling capable of success. A third is a relatedness, or the sense of connection and belonging that comes from feeling supported and valued by others.
Intrinsic motivation can be separated into three basic categories: Knowledge-based, accomplishment-based and stimulation-based. Knowledge-based is if you perform a task for the joy of learning and the satisfaction of understanding something. Accomplishment-based is if you perform a job based on the enjoyment of completing, creating, or achieving a goal. Finally, stimulation-based motivation is if you perform a task because of the excitement or gratification it gives you. I am an accomplished-based type of person. Every day I make a little list in my notebook of what homework I have in each class, then I put a tiny, empty box next to the assignment. That way, I get the feeling of completing something when I can check off that box. Checking out one box makes me want to check off all of them.
When faced with extrinsic motivators like rewards or gifts, it might seem great that first time; however, it’s said that over time people begin to get tired of it and lose the sense of wanting to participate. For example, a teacher gives out candy daily to those who participate in class discussions, but when they run out of candy, it gives the students no motivation to engage since the only reason they did it in the first place is now gone. Extrinsic motivators in the classroom have never appealed to me. Engaging in a class depends on whether I’m confident in what I know or if I like the teacher.
There are several ways to increase/improve intrinsic motivation:
1. Set clear and challenging goals: Goals can provide a sense of purpose and direction.
2. Provide autonomy: Allowing individuals to control their work environment and how they complete their tasks.
3. Foster relatedness: Create a sense of community and connection among individuals.
4. Encourage mastery: Provide opportunities to learn and grow.
5. Give meaningful feedback: Giving individuals feedback on their work can help them see the impact of their efforts.
6. Create a positive work environment: A positive environment should value engagement, recognition and autonomy.
It’s important to understand that intrinsic motivation comes from within you and varies for every person. Additionally, intrinsic motivation can fluctuate over time and require ongoing attention and support. Music always helps me focus, so I listed a playlist link below for when you need some quiet/non-distracting songs to listen to.