Concrete Examples of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation

All parents want to transit the child into the intrinsic motivation stage because in this stage, the child is self-regulating and self-discipline. No more nagging and no more threats or bribes. However, to move to this stage is a long process and it really needs planning the whole process.

As a starter, I will simplify the concepts of both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation into more concrete examples. Here are a few examples.

Extrinsic Motivation
External and usually consumable.
- Sweets, chocolates
- Money
- More time on computer games
- More dessert
- Praise
- More time on TV shows

Intrinsic Motivation
This is some sort of enlightenment in the child's head.
- Sings because the child enjoys singing
- Does his homework because the child enjoys doing homework
- Keeps his toys because he wants to be tidy
- Revises his work because he knows it is important to do so

Too much extrinsic motivation is no good as it will create a lot of difficulty to transit the child into intrinsic motivation. For example, if you offer $50 for homework EVERYTIME. The link between the $50 and the homework will be very strong. The child will do his homework for the $50, and not for completing the homework itself. Take the $50 away and the child will see no meaning in doing the homework and stop doing his homework unless the $50 is offered again. In addition, the child may ask for more than $50 next time. Very dangerous.

However, I have to say again that extrinsic motivation by itself is neutral. It is only bad when we overuse it. If a child has totally no motivation to do his homework, some extrinsic motivation should be used to get him started. However, almost immediately after finishing his homework, steps should be taken to downplay the $50 and focus on the joy of completing the task. This is the process that is often missed out.

The secret to intrinsic motivation is actually the task design. A task well-thought and well-presented to the child will let the child fall in love the task itself. The task cannot be boring or too easy. The task cannot be too exciting or too difficult. It has to be just nice. So, how do we design such a task? We have to begin by understanding the child and also understand the task itself.

For my next post, I will share on how I develop the habit of reading in my children.

Stay motivated. See you next week.

little motivator