Here are two videos that I found helpful in my journey in writing this post.
For example, when given a problem to solve by a teacher, but offered no reward, you will find that many students will work just as hard on the task or even more than if given a reward. It is just the enjoyment of doing something, for one’s own well-being. Intrinsic motivation is the motivation that comes from inside. Creativity can go out the door, people will not be able to solve problems as well, and they will not value their work as well. People soon learn that they are doing the task, not for internal reasons, but external. This results in the task not feeling like play, but rather work. They will also feel like they are getting “paid” to do a job.
This is because people feel they are entitled to something. As we have noticed in “Drive”, extrinsic motivation can backfire. Extrinsic motivation in the classroom can include things like: small prizes, tokens, extra credit, stickers, grades, etc. They rely on things that are outside of themselves to stay motivated. This person exhibits Type X behavior, as mentioned in the book. There is a specific type of person that does best only when extrinsic motivation is used. For example, if a teacher gives out extra credit for children bringing in things to the classroom, this is extrinsic motivation. In the next paragraphs, I will discuss in depth my thoughts as well as Pink’s thoughts on extrinsic and intrinsic motivation and how it can be used.Įxtrinsic motivation, according to Daniel Pink, is the use of external rewards (outside ourselves) to encourage a certain behavior. “Carrots and Sticks” or extrinsic rewards can actually backfire in certain situations. We all start with the belief that extrinsic motivation (money, grades, etc.) motivate us. He does an exemplary job at giving examples in psychology and how it relates to the school system as well as the business world. Pink does a very good job differentiating between when each should be used, and he describes the difference between the two motivations. I will go over each type of task that each should be used. It just should be used in certain situations and not others. This book does not say that all extrinsic motivation is bad.
In this blog, I will describe the differences between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, tell when each should be used, and also provide lesson plans, that are in my subject (biology and chemistry), to teach you how to use them. In the book “Drive” by Daniel Pink, there are many examples and ways to use intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in your students.