If the question presented here was to determine which type of motivation is the most effective, then intrinsic motivation would win the challenge without a doubt. After reviewing the two articles, “Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivations: Classic Definitions and New Directions” and “Income, Motivation, And Satisfaction with Life: An Empirical Analysis” along with the TED talk given by Dan Pink called “The Puzzle of Motivation” that is the conclusion that I have come to. The need for internal satisfaction appears to be the most important force driving the actions of humans in the daily tasks of life. Of courses there are many times individuals tackling a project are using extrinsic motivation to accomplish the goal, but even within that extrinsic motivation an underlying sense of internal satisfaction must be present in order for the overall quality of the experience to be fulfilling. When the only reason a person is performing an assignment is for external reward, then the quality of the work and the time spent by the individual is often diminished. I would like to state that I believe that the very nature of motivation is a response that can only occur internally.
I will discuss an important and interesting aspect of Pink’s lecture that is justified by both articles, which further reinforce my opinion on the nature of authentic motivation as an intrinsic experience. At one point in the lecture, Pink informs the audience of the fact that extrinsic motivation is no longer acceptable in the 21st century and proves to be harmful because of the limitation that rewards place on perspective (Pink 2015). Therefore, creativity and innovative ideas are constricted when extrinsic motivation through reward is the only purpose given to complete a task. Ryan and Deci stated that “a person who feels no impetus or inspiration to act is thus characterized as unmotivated, whereas someone who is energized or activated toward an end is considered motivated” (54). Inspiration is a phenomenon that is unique for each person and not something that can easily be extracted by simply offering a materialistic reward. In addition, a large amount of literature in social psychology has found the topic of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation quite complex, considering the two can coexist and interact (Salinas-Jiménez, Artés and Salinas-Jiménez 2010). Therefore, if the pursuit of successful results is dependent on motivation, then even if extrinsic motivation through reward is used, the intrinsic motivation must exist on some level in order to accomplish “said task.”
So far, the evidence of the benefit of intrinsic motivation or as I prefer to say, the only type of sincere motivation, has been shown from a common sense conversational perspective. However, there is something more biological in the way our brains work that can further emphasis the importance and/or difference of intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation. Pink’s lecture on TED talks explains a study done by Dan Ariely and some colleagues who studied a group of MIT students through games that involved creativity, motor skills, and concentration (Pink 2015). Rewards were also offered based on performance, and were only valuable in tasks involving mechanical skills. When cognitive skills were needed, the larger reward actually resulted in poorer performance (Pink 2015). This study was repeated in Madurai, India to ensure that cultural bias was not to be a factor to skew the results of the study, and the results remained the same. What I gather from this study is that the brain needs less stress and more freedom to function well, which is more likely in the intrinsic motivation process. However, when a materialistic reward (extrinsic motivation) is presented, then the brain is overwhelmed with focusing on the reward versus enjoying the freedom to creativity produce when external pressure is not present.
Even according to Skinner’s operant theory the reward of intrinsic motivation is in the actual pleasure provided by the activity (Ryan and Deci 2000). A dancer dances because of the rewarding experience regardless of any external rewards. According to the article by Maria Salinas-Jimenez and Javier Salinas-Jimenez the “Easterlin Paradox” also known as the “happiness paradox” is proof when one considers that “on average, individuals with higher levels of income seem to enjoy higher levels of subjective wellbeing; however, the empirical evidence suggests that levels of well-being do not tend to increase as a society becomes richer” (2010, p. 780). In concluding the essay, I am convinced that the only veritable motivation that exists is intrinsic motivation.
References
Pink, Dan. 'The Puzzle Of Motivation'. Ted.com. N.p., 2015. Web. 11 July 2015.
Ryan, Richard M., and Edward L. Deci. 'Intrinsic And Extrinsic Motivations: Classic Definitions
And New Directions'. Contemporary Educational Psychology 25.1 (2000): 54-67. Web.
Salinas-Jiménez, Maria del Mar, Joaquín Artés, and Javier Salinas-Jiménez. 'Income,
Motivation, And Satisfaction With Life: An Empirical Analysis'. Journal of Happiness Studies 11.6 (2010): 779-793. Web.
