Exploring the forces behind our actions is a fascinating journey into understanding motivation. A nuanced exploration of intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation helps us dissect the fundamental drivers that shape child behavior and what propels individuals towards success.
In this post, we examine how internal and external motivators influence your child’s pursuit of goals and fulfillment.
What is Intrinsic Motivation
Intrinsic motivation refers to engaging in an activity for the inherent satisfaction or enjoyment it brings, rather than for external rewards or incentives. Individuals driven by intrinsic motivation find fulfillment and pleasure in the process of the task itself. Things we enjoy like our engaging in hobbies and eating candy, for example, are intrinsic motivators.
We all have some sort of motivation to do everything that we do. Sometimes when we love what we do because of the way it makes us feel, and not because someone is paying us, we tend to say that we are intrinsically motivated.
For example, if you exercise because of how great you feel when your body is moving and how great you feel after a good workout then we’d say you’re “intrinsically motivated” to exercise.
What is Extrinsic Motivation?
Extrinsic motivation involves engaging in an activity to earn external rewards or avoid punishments.
Individuals driven by extrinsic motivation focus on external factors like praise or recognition to motivate their behavior.
What if you hate exercise and you must do it because your physician told you that you needed to lose weight and increase your fitness level? Well, you’re not being paid to exercise, but you’re doing it to keep something bad from happening. This too is an example of extrinsic motivation, only the thing motivating you isn’t an external reward, it’s an external stressor that you’re trying to prevent.
Why Do We Have Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivations?
We possess both intrinsic and extrinsic motivations because they cater to different aspects of human behavior and satisfaction. Having both types allows individuals to balance internal desires with external influences in achieving their goals and finding satisfaction.
All of us, including our children, have intrinsic and extrinsic motivators throughout our daily lives. Sometimes we do things because we love doing them, sometimes because it pays off in some manner, and sometimes to prevent something we wish to avoid.
But how do you get really good at reading? Well, unless you’re naturally talented you have to do it a lot. This is where extrinsic motivation comes into play.
Carrotology is an Easy-to-use Tool for Motivating Your Child
Sometimes we ALL need a little extra motivation until we can see the fruits of our labor, and this is where where Carrotology’s time management and behavioral app comes into play.
Carrotology can help parents, teachers, and therapists get kids over that hump for any activity. Kids can be transformed from someone who needs an incentive to read into someone who just loves to read.
Download the Carrotology app today and motivate your child to build routines and habits for success.
