Harden Elkington
Extrinsic motivation is a type of motivation that comes from external sources or influences.
This can be seen in things like rewards, incentives, and punishments, which are used to encourage or discourage certain behaviors.
It is different from intrinsic motivation, which is driven by internal factors such as personal interest in the activity or feeling of accomplishment.
Types of extrinsic motivation can vary greatly and include things such as competition, recognition or rewards, criticism or punishment, and social pressure.
Each of these forms of motivation has the potential to be effective in some cases but may not work in others.
In order to understand how to best use extrinsic motivation it is important to first understand the different types.
What are the types of extrinsic motivation?
There are four main types of extrinsic motivation, including:
External Regulation
External Regulation refers to motivation that is influenced by external sources such as rewards, punishments and expectations.
This type of extrinsic motivation often involves an individual being rewarded or punished for completing a task, usually either with tangible items like money or other incentives or criticism in the form of reprimands or punishment.
It works best when clear objectives are set out and rewards are provided when those objectives are reached.
This type of motivation can also be especially effective when it is linked to specific tasks that need to be completed rather than general behavior.
Introjected Regulation
Introjected regulation is the extrinsic motivation that comes from internal feelings of guilt, pride or obligation.
This type of motivation is based on an individual’s beliefs and values which they have internalized.
It often relates to either a sense of responsibility to complete the task or a fear of failure if the task is not completed.
While this can be effective in some cases, it can also lead to feelings of resentment or frustration if the task becomes too difficult or time consuming.
Identified Regulation
Identified regulation refers to extrinsic motivation that comes from an individual’s own personal goals and objectives.
This type of motivation stems from a person’s desire to achieve something, usually in the form of success or recognition, by completing a task or goal.
It works best when a person has a clear understanding of what they want to achieve and how they can go about achieving it, as this will drive them to work hard and persist in the face of difficulty or opposition.
Integrated Regulation
Integrated regulation refers to extrinsic motivation that arises from an individual’s sense of identity and belonging.
This type of motivation often involves feeling accepted by a group or being perceived as part of the team, which can be incredibly powerful for some individuals.
It is based on an individual’s need to feel valued and appreciated by others in order to be motivated and works best when there is a high level of collaboration between individuals.
Overall, understanding the different types of extrinsic motivation can help individuals and groups better understand how to motivate themselves and others.
Whether it be through rewards, recognition or social pressure, identifying what type of motivation works best for each individual is key to achieving success.
Advantages and disadvantages of extrinsic motivation
There are both advantages and disadvantages to using extrinsic motivation.
Advantages
The advantages of extrinsic motivation include:
- The ability to motivate people quickly
- Provide tangible rewards for a job well done and increase productivity
- Create an incentive for people to stay motivated and strive for success
- Provide clarity of goals to help individuals focus their efforts
Disadvantages
The disadvantages of extrinsic motivation include:
- Lack of intrinsic motivation as people are driven by external rewards rather than their own desires
- This can lead to a lack of creativity and decreased innovation
- The effects of extrinsic motivation can be short-lived if the reward is not seen as significant or desirable
- Focus on competition rather than collaboration which can create an unhealthy atmosphere
- This can lead to task overload as individuals strive to achieve the rewards
- It can be seen as a form of manipulation that can cause resentment and frustration.
Overall, extrinsic motivation can be an effective tool when used correctly, but it should not be the sole method of motivation for any group or individual.
It is important to recognize that intrinsic motivation is just as important and should be nurtured in order to achieve long-term success.
Final thoughts
Extrinsic motivation can be beneficial for both groups and individuals when used correctly.
It can provide clear goals and tangible rewards to help increase productivity, but it should not be the only form of motivation as this can lead to a lack of intrinsic motivation and creativity.
Instead, it is important to nurture intrinsic motivation by creating an environment that values collaboration and creativity.
When used in conjunction with intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation can be a powerful tool to help individuals and groups reach their goals.
