Intrinsic motivation, the type that emanates from an internal drive rather than an external one, empowers an individual to persist in any endeavor. An elite athlete training for the Olympics or a classical pianist preparing for an international competition can withstand grueling hours of training each day when responding to the “fire within.” What are the essential components comprising intrinsic motivation, and how can leaders spark that flame in their academic and career pursuits?
The self-determination theory of Ryan and Deci in 2000 proposes that two of the essential components related to intrinsic motivation include autonomy and competence. Thus, teachers can provide opportunities for students to work on their own and support their feelings of competence by offering positive reinforcement for sustained effort, especially with a difficult task. The same concept is also apparent in the workplace. Fostering perceptions of competence, autonomy, and relatedness to others supports people’s intrinsic motivation and behavior. Approach motivation, foundational to most forms of learning, steers people to a reward. However, the reward must be intrinsic, such as a feeling of competence, pleasure from self-determined mastery, and desire to satisfy curiosity for its own sake.
In fact, extrinsic reward, designed and administered by an outside person or authority, if precise, (grades, prizes,money) cannot sustain effort for an extended period and might even de-motivate. “Financial incentives can foster short-term thinking or encourage cheating, shortcuts and unethical behavior.”The “recipe” for eliciting intrinsic motivation includes the following principles.
- Elicit curiosity and encourage exploration.
- Avoid extrinsic incentives.
- Remind people that success is possible.4. Prioritize social interaction.
- Remember that we all have different intrinsic motivators.
Keep in mind, however, the foundational aspect: caring. Students and adults must know that teachers and employers have unconditional positive regard for them. A famous educator, Madeline Hunter, said, “Children don’t care how much you know unless they know how much you care.” The same concept can be extended to adults.
