Difference Between Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation

When we think about motivation, the first thing that strikes our mind is its source – internal or external. Intrinsic Motivation can best be described as behaviour directed by internal rewards. As opposed, extrinsic motivation refers to the motivation based on external needs of a person such as money, position, grades, etc.

What is Motivation?

Motivation can be understood as the invisible force that moves, activates or pushes people and causes them to act. It is something that incites a person into action and makes him continue the course of action with enthusiasm, to accomplish the desired goals.

When we observe a person working to achieve a certain goal or outcome, we consider it a motivation. There are two important types of motivation – Intrinsic Motivation and Extrinsic Motivation.

Content: Intrinsic Vs Extrinsic Motivation

1. Comparison Chart
2. Definition
3. Key Differences
4. Conclusion

Comparison Chart

Basis for Comparison	Intrinsic Motivation	Extrinsic Motivation
Meaning	Intrinsic Motivation is one that comes from inside the person, depending on his personal needs and enjoyment of any task.	A type of motivation which is induced by outside forces, commonly of financial nature is called as extrinsic motivation.
Focus	Action	Outcome
Locus of Control	Internal to the person	External to the person
Aims at	Grooming, developing and satisfying oneself and also identifying the potential.	Earning a reward or avoiding certain consequences.
Satisfaction of basic psychological needs	Yes	No
Concerned with	How the activity aligns with a person's values?	How the activity effects a person's present?
Involves	Enjoying working the task.	Valuing rewards and awards for accomplishing the work.
Driven by	Own desires and needs.	Outside sources or other people.

Definition of Intrinsic Motivation

Intrinsic motivation is one in which the person’s behaviour gets motivation from an internal desire to do or achieve something, for own sake. It initiates from feelings of achievement, satisfaction, accomplishment rather than any outside incentive, pressure, deadline, etc.

Simply put, the motivation to adopt a certain behaviour comes from within, as it is naturally satisfying. It arises out of fun, challenge, interest, etc. The source of motivation is inherent to the task and so the person is automatically involved in the task.

Moreover, it is related to the state of self-actualization, wherein the contentment of attaining something invaluable motivates the person again, so the motivation is autogenerated and it has nothing to do with financial rewards.

Intrinsic motivation yields a high quality of work, the accomplishment of tasks in a timely manner, meeting challenges and gaining excellence in the task.

Definition of Extrinsic Motivation

Extrinsic motivation refers to the type of motivation wherein the motivation is due to external forces, which pushes you to do or achieve something with the aim of earning a reward or avoid negative consequences.

It is a form of operant conditioning. Operant conditioning uses reward or punishment so as to increase the likelihood of certain behaviour. It can be increment, fame, grades, recognition, appreciation, or threat of punishment etc.

This type of motivation is based on the fact that if human behaviour is positively rewarded for the work done, it tends to be repeated. Nevertheless, the reward of such behaviour has to be powerful and long-lasting so that it improves, its occurrence probability.

So far, monetary reward is regarded as the best incentive for desired behaviour. However, it has been argued that whether money actually motivates people or it simply pushes them to work. This can include higher pay, add on benefits like retirement plans, profit-sharing scheme, paid vacations, health insurance, food coupons, etc.

Conclusion

Motivation is an inner force which drives the employee’s behaviour. These are based on needs, rewards and efforts. Both types of motivation are important in life. Intrinsic Motivation is the arises from within which instigates a person to perform an activity, for his/her own satisfaction. On the other extreme, extrinsic motivation is when you do something because of an external force and not for inner fulfilment.

In extrinsic motivation, there is a tangible or intangible outcome acting as a reward which a person wants to achieve, but in intrinsic motivation, the reward is the behaviour itself.