What Is Internal VS External Motivation

Welcome to a basic exploration of the intricate realms of motivation. As human beings, we are driven by a force, an impetus that propels us forward on our journey through life. This insatiable hunger for achievement and fulfillment is what we commonly refer to as motivation.

But what exactly does this term entail? How do we decipher the underlying mechanisms that shape our desires and actions?

Definition of Motivation

Motivation can be defined as the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way. It is the fire within us that ignites our passion and directs our behavior. The Latin root “motivus” means “to move,” which aptly captures the essence of motivation—an internal drive that compels us to take action.

It is crucial to understand that motivation is not a large single concept; rather, it encompasses multiple ideas. While some motivations arise from within ourselves, others come from external sources.

Importance of Understanding Internal and External Motivation

Gaining a comprehensive understanding of both internal and external motivation is a good way to understand human behavior, particularly your own. By looking into these two motivational sources, we can shed light on why we act in certain ways—and how we can create healthier motivational patterns in our own lives.

Understanding what drives us from within offers valuable insight into using intrinsic rewards instead of external rewards like validation. Furthermore, comprehending external motivation enables us to comprehend how societal forces shape our behavior.

Extrinsic rewards, such as material gain or social recognition, can be powerful catalysts that push us to exceed our own expectations. By grasping the interplay between external incentives and human motivation, we can harness this knowledge to create environments that foster growth and achievement.

Internal Motivation: The Drive Within

Definition and characteristics of internal motivation

When it comes to motivation, there is nothing quite as potent as our internal drive. Internal motivation refers to the innate desire that stems from within us to pursue and achieve certain goals or engage in specific activities, regardless of external factors.

Unlike external influences, this type of motivation originates from our own values, passions, and aspirations. It arises from a deep sense of personal meaning and purpose.

The key characteristic of internal motivation is its intrinsic nature. It is driven by an inherent need for personal growth, self-expression, and self-fulfillment.

When we are internally motivated, the desire to succeed comes not from external rewards or pressures but from an inner longing for satisfaction and happiness. This type of motivation leads us to pursue endeavors that align with our core values and genuine interests.

Intrinsic rewards: the joy of accomplishment

One of the most beautiful aspects of internal motivation is the profound sense of joy that accompanies the process of achievement. Intrinsic rewards are inwardly experienced psychological benefits that come from engaging in activities we find personally fulfilling or meaningful.

Personal satisfaction and fulfillment are among the primary intrinsic rewards associated with internal motivation. When we set a goal for ourselves – whether it’s completing a challenging project at work or mastering a new skill – achieving that goal brings immense gratification.

We experience a deep sense of contentment knowing that we have accomplished something valuable according to our own standards. Another intrinsic reward closely tied to internal motivation is a sense of pride and self-worth.

Accomplishing tasks or reaching milestones based on our own desires boosts our confidence and enhances our perception of ourselves. This newfound belief in our abilities encourages us to tackle even more significant challenges with unwavering determination.

Self-determination theory: autonomy, competence, relatedness

To better understand the inner workings of internal motivation, we turn to self-determination theory, which highlights three fundamental psychological needs that drive human behavior: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Autonomy represents our innate desire for control over our own actions and decisions. When we feel autonomous, we have the freedom to choose our goals and pursue them in a manner that aligns with our values.

This sense of independence fuels our internal motivation as it allows us to take ownership of our achievements. Competence refers to the need to master skills and achieve goals.

When we feel competent in carrying out tasks or accomplishing objectives, it boosts our self-confidence and motivates us to keep striving for excellence. The joy derived from personal growth and mastery serves as a powerful driving force behind internal motivation.

Relatedness emphasizes the importance of social connections in motivation. Humans are inherently social beings, and cultivating meaningful relationships contributes significantly to our overall well-being.

Having supportive networks or engaging in collaborative endeavors can provide a sense of belonging, which acts as an additional motivational factor. Internal motivation is a potent catalyst that propels us towards personal fulfillment and success.

It emerges from within ourselves, driven by intrinsic rewards such as satisfaction, pride, autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Understanding the power of internal motivation allows us to tap into our inner reservoirs of determination to navigate life’s challenges with enthusiasm.

External Motivation: The Push from Outside Forces

Definition and Examples of External Motivation

External motivation refers to the driving force that comes from outside influences, such as rewards or recognition. It is the kind of motivation that arises when we are pushed by external factors rather than being driven by our own desires and is often short-lived.

In various aspects of life, external motivation can play a significant role in influencing our behavior and actions. One common example of external motivation is in the workplace, where employees may be motivated by promotions, bonuses, or other material rewards offered for achieving specific targets.

Similarly, students might work diligently towards obtaining good grades to receive praise from their parents or teachers. In these scenarios, the desire for tangible incentives becomes the primary driving force behind their efforts.

Extrinsic Rewards: Tangible Incentives for Performance

Extrinsic rewards are concrete benefits that are offered as incentives for achieving certain goals or demonstrating desired behaviors. These rewards can take various forms such as money, gifts, promotions, praise, awards, or public recognition.

They provide individuals with external validation and serve as motivating factors to encourage continued performance and effort. Material rewards like monetary bonuses or physical gifts hold a strong appeal due to their immediate gratification.

They satisfy our basic needs and desires for financial stability or acquiring desirable possessions. On the other hand, social recognition provides individuals with a sense of accomplishment and pride as they receive praise from others for their achievements.

Internal vs External Motivation in Different Contexts

School/Education

Intrinsic motivation in learning:

Curiosity is a powerful driving force when it comes to intrinsic motivation in learning. It is that burning desire to explore, understand, and uncover the mysteries of the world around us. When students are genuinely curious about a subject, they become more engaged and willing to invest their time and effort into acquiring knowledge.

This internal motivation fuels their desire to learn beyond what is required. Passion and interest play a crucial role in intrinsic motivation as well.

When students are passionate about a particular subject or have a genuine interest in it, they are more likely to be self-motivated learners. Their enthusiasm and eagerness to delve deeper into the topic push them to seek out additional resources, ask thought-provoking questions, and take initiative in their own learning journey.

Extrinsic motivators in education:

While intrinsic motivation is essential for lifelong learning, external motivators also have their place within the educational system. Grades act as external rewards that provide students with feedback on their performance.

The desire for good grades can push students to put forth extra effort and strive for academic excellence. Competition among students can also serve as an extrinsic motivator.

The drive to outperform one’s peers can create a sense of competition that pushes individuals to work harder and achieve more significant results.

Workplace/Career

Intrinsic motivation at work:

Intrinsic motivation plays an integral role in job satisfaction and long-term career success. When individuals find personal fulfillment in their work, they are more likely to be intrinsically motivated on a daily basis.

They derive a sense of purpose and meaning from their tasks, leading to higher levels of engagement and productivity. Job satisfaction acts as an internal motivator that goes beyond external factors such as salary or promotions.

It is the feeling of accomplishment, professional growth, and contribution to something greater than oneself that drives individuals intrinsically. When people are genuinely passionate about their work, they are more likely to go the extra mile, take initiative, and pursue excellence in their respective fields.

Looking to improve your success take a look at this how success comes before work.

Healthy and unhealthy motivation

Healthy Motivation

The best motivation you can work towards is done through habit and discipline. Examples of this include a job’s daily schedule. Your daily routine while at work is structured in a manner to get goals done regardless of how good you are or how you are feeling. With basic training, the employer gives you the understanding needed to produce the desired result.

When we apply this to our own lives in other areas like fitness, relationships, or finance we can improve results drastically. Regardless of how you feel in the moment you make a decision to do something and then go do it. The trouble comes in when you let yourself debate with yourself whether to do it based on how you feel.

Unhealthy Motivation

In the book “No More Mr. Nice Guy” Dr. Glover describes how many men are seeking acceptance and approval. This is an external psychological motivation that is destroying many men’s lives. Instead of seeking an internal desire to create, build, and succeed simply because we want and choose to, many of us are trying to do things because we things others want us to. Or because we feel some sort of need to do it for others’ approval of who we are, what we are doing, etc.

This is an unhealthy method of motivation for several reasons. What happens when you get validation this time but not the next? It can create a scenario of self-doubt and uncertainty where you feel worthless, hopeless, lost, etc. Instead of continuing the activity for personal reasons, you may postpone activities until you get validation again.