Intrinsic Motivators
From WikEd
[edit] Descriptions, definitions, synonyms, organizer terms, types of
Intrinsic Motivation: The motivation or desire to do something based on the enjoyment of the behavior itself rather than relying on or requiring external reinforcement.
FOR REFERENCE Extrinsic Motivation: The desire or push to perform a certain behavior based on the potential external rewards that may be received as a result. (Examples: Grades, money, candy)
- ALLPSYCH Online
[edit] Application in classrooms and similar settings
Understanding motivation can obviously be applied to a classroom and/or similar setting. Some factors that promote Intrinsic motivation are:
Challenge Curiosity Control Fantasy Competition Cooperation Recognition
- Vockell, E.L. Educational Psychology: A Practical Approach (Online Ed.), 2001
http://education.calumet.purdue.edu/vockell/EdPsyBook/
Teachers can do several things to INTERNALIZE the factors that remain EXTERNAL:
Choice Feedback Interpersonal involvement Acknowledgment of feelings Celebrations rather than rewards Real life models cooperative learning
Teachers can also renew existing INTRINSIC Motivations:
Having meaningful tasks Communicating the idea that ability is not fixed Using a variety of instructional strategies Providing a sense of competence and achievement along with some sense of autonomy in the learning process.
- Lucinda M. Wilson & Deborah A. Corpus. (2001). The Effects of Reward Systems on
Academic Performance. Middle School Journal. Volume 33 • Number 1 • Pages 56-60
Before anything else, teachers need to focus on each student differently because some motivators work differently for different personalities.
Students can also take an active part in motivating themselves.
Work by Edward Vockell, Ph.D offers suggestions:
Know WHY what you are learning is worthwhile. If you can't find an intrinsic motivation at first, substitue an extrinsic one, most likely you will realize an intrinsic motivator later on in the project. Make it easier for your instructors to understand you through good communication. Look for cause-and-effect relationships between your work and following success. Don't spend too much energy on the competition aspect of your work.
- Vockell, E.L. Educational http://education.calumet.purdue.edu/vockell/EdPsyBook/
Psychology: A Practical Approach (Online Ed.), 2001
[edit] Evidence of effectiveness
There are MANY studies that have shown evidence for the effectiveness of Intrinsic motivators. One study done at Boston University where three groups of students were asked to complete a piece of writing. One group was given extrinsic reasons, grades, money, getting into grad school, etc.) The second group were given reasons like self-expression, the enjoyment of playing with words, etc. and the third group was given no reasons at all. The extrinsic group wrote less, and less creatively.
In another study, girls who were asked to do tutoring in exchange for movie tickets and another group asked to do it voluntarily, the first group of girls got frustrated much easier, took longer to relate ideas, and did a worse job overall.
http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/motivation.html
[edit] Critics and their rationale
One big critic of the idea of intrinsic motivators is Steven Reiss, a professor of psychology at Ohio State University. In an article by Jeff Grabmeier, Reiss is stated as saying:
“They are taking many diverse human needs and motivations, putting them into just two categories, and then saying one type of motivation is better than another."
“There is no reason that money can't be an effective motivator, or that grades can't motivate students in school,” he said. “It's all a matter of individual differences. Different people are motivated in different ways.”
http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/inmotiv.htm
[edit] Alternative explanations due to Diversity considerations
There is a lot of debate over rewards. There are many confounding variables that effect motivation. As discussed in the Application for Classroom settings section; each student needs to be worked with individually to understand what motivates them personally.
[edit] Signed “life experiences”, testimonies and stories
[edit] References and other links of interest
Kohn, A. (1987). Studies Find Reward Often No Motivator. http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/motivation.html
Lucinda M. Wilson & Deborah A. Corpus. (2001). The Effects of Reward Systems on Academic Performance. Middle School Journal. Volume 33 • Number 1 • Pages 56-60
Encyclopedia of Educational Technology
ALLPSYCH Online
Vockell, E.L. Educational Psychology: A Practical Approach (Online Ed.), 2001
http://education.calumet.purdue.edu/vockell/EdPsyBook/
