Have you ever forced yourself to do something you didn’t enjoy because it has a reward? These rewards can be external, such as money, good grades, praise, or fame which can be a good jumpstart but might not keep you going forever. Relying solely on these external rewards isn’t always the strongest foundation for motivation because it’s not based on genuine interest.
However, Unlike Extrinsic Motivation, Intrinsic motivation is driven by healthy rewards and goals that are driven by a desire for personal growth, strong morals, or self-discipline. You do things because you find them enjoyable or fulfilling, not just for the external perks. This kind of motivation tends to be more sustainable in the long run. When you put your values into external rewards such as fame or recognition, money, authority, and praise, these could be some extrinsic motivation examples. Due to the low and incomplete set of values, extrinsic motivation fails to sustain in the long term as a form of motivation.
By understanding the examples of extrinsic forms of motivation, we can understand how to foster sustainable and meaningful behavior change. So, let’s get started.
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What Are Some Extrinsic Motivation Examples
You are either intrinsically or extrinsically motivated to do certain tasks. Think about you trying to lose weight. Are you hitting the gym because you want to feel good and be healthy in the long run, or are you more focused on looking good for compliments? If the compliments are your main motivator, then your fitness journey might be driven by extrinsic motivation.
Let’s take work as an example. Imagine you have a job: is it because you’re passionate about the work itself and find it fulfilling, or are you primarily motivated by the paycheck at the end of the month? The first scenario reflects intrinsic motivation, while the second is driven by extrinsic motivation, where the reward (the paycheck) is the main driver.
Some more extrinsic motivation examples could be as below:
Parental approval: It is when the kids desire to get good grades to be able to be rewarded with gifts, toys, or praise. Here studying to obtain good grades is promoted by extrinsic motivation.
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Social Media Recognition: Many people like to post content and social media posts not for the benefit of others or for the target that it is supposed to be but in the hope of gaining likes, comments, and more followers. This acts as a form of social validation that comes under extrinsic motivation.
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Fitness Challenge: As discussed above, reward-based fitness programs and apps can extrinsic motivation to exercise regularly. Here the rewarding factors are generally earning points, badges, or discounts for reaching fitness goals.
Promotion and Recognition: The prospect of career advancement and public recognition for achievements can be powerful motivators. Employees who strive for promotions or awards are driven by the extrinsic reward of status and acknowledgment.
Other examples of Extrinsic Motivation:
- Shopping with credit cards to gain loyalty and reward points.
- Doing house chores to get praised by parents or partners.
- Helping people to gain social recognition and praise.
- Doing tasks to avoid getting judged.
Effects of Extrinsic Motivation in Life
While offering rewards can increase motivation in some areas, it is not always the case. An excessive offer of reward can lead to decreased motivation. However, in some cases, extrinsic motivation can be used as an advantage. Let’s look into some examples some extrinsic motivation examples affecting positively and negatively in our life.
The Negative Effect of Extrinsic Motivation
An experiment was conducted in 1973 by Mark Lepper on extrinsic motivation and the learning process. At the time Lepper began his research, behavior modification programs with some kids. If kids were misbehaving or not studying enough, Lepper suggested paying children with rewards, points, and chips for good behavior. These points could be redeemed for extra recess time or even candies.
Lepper then observed that while the rewards produced instant compliance, they simultaneously seemed to undermine real motivation. Children who could do the task without a reward were more interested in completing the tasks than the children who were offered reward points. It concluded that children who were offered candies in return for completing a task kept on seeking such rewards in return.
People tend to set their source of motivation. Once they have received an extrinsic reward for acting, they assign too much importance to the role.
The Positive Effect of Extrinsic Motivation
Extrinsic motivation is generally considered as a negative motivator which is often not sustainable in the long run. However, it could still be taken advantage of in a positive way. Below are some scenarios where extrinsic rewards may be effective.
Jumpstart Initiative
Sometimes an initial push is needed to get started on a task. Extrinsic motivators like a deadline, a competition, or even a financial reward can be the nudge to begin something we might otherwise procrastinate on.
Positive Reinforcement
When you achieve a goal tied to an extrinsic reward, it can be very reinforcing. This positive reinforcement can build confidence and make you more likely to continue the behavior in the future.
Professional Milestones
Extrinsic motivators like bonuses or promotions can act as milestones, breaking down a long-term goal into smaller, more manageable achievements. Reaching these milestones can provide a sense of accomplishment and keep you motivated on the long road.
Social Influence
Positive extrinsic motivators can come in the form of social influence as well. Public praise, recognition from colleagues, or even healthy competition can be a great motivator.
Some Unknown Facts on Extrinsic Motivation
- Extrinsic Motivation can be the joy killer when performing the same task without a reward in the end.
- Extrinsic Motivation can act as a good motivator especially when accomplishing short tasks that lead to the achievement of a bigger task.
- Due to the desire for approval from adults, children are more susceptible to extrinsic Motivation.
- Studies have shown that external push can sometimes get us started, allowing our intrinsic curiosity to take over.
A Word From Mindwise
The key to using extrinsic motivation positively is to find the right rewards and use them strategically. Ideally, these rewards can eventually lead to intrinsic motivators like enjoyment or a sense of accomplishment. It is important to ask yourself if the task you are performing is to obtain some rewards or if it is an intrinsic motivation. Extrinsic motivation might be a good strategy to adapt helping children learn new skills.
Considering the above extrinsic motivation examples, It is advised to always apply this method in moderation to not fall into the negative spectrum. It is important to understand, that extrinsic motivation isn’t always effective. Listen to yourself and try to find the core values that motivate you intrinsically and help you achieve your goal in the long run.