Motivation: Intrinsic vs Extrinsic
Motivation plays a critical role in the success of an organization. Employees who are motivated to achieve organizational goals and targets leave a positive impression on the overall performance of that organization. While there are many theories and strategies concerning motivation, the one that is most critical is the debate regarding intrinsic and extrinsic rewards. Motivational theories like Maslow's theory or Vroom's expectancy theory fail to completely answer the question of which kind of reward is more important for motivation: intrinsic or extrinsic. For example can we truly motivate a person by showing him how extra effort on a task can enhance his knowledge or do we really need to attach a monetary reward with it? A student may be motivated to study harder for intrinsic reward like more knowledge and higher learning but without appreciation and recognition, will he continue to put in the effort simply for the sake of intrinsic reward? Before we delve deeper into the debate, we need to understand what is meant by each term. We shall then discuss if intrinsic rewards are really more important than extrinsic rewards for employee motivation.
Intrinsic Rewards:
Intrinsic rewards come from within. This would the most basic definition of the term. Intrinsic value of a work refers to the inherent quality of the job that excites or motivates a person. A student who studies for at least two hours a day and is deeply motivated by the idea of learning more and gaining higher knowledge in the subject is said to be intrinsically motivated. But the same student would be extrinsically motivated if he is looking for better grades or more recognition from professors and fellow students.
According to Weinberg & Gould (2003), there are three types of intrinsic motivation:
Knowledge
Accomplishment
Stimulation
A person who is motivated by knowledge factor would be interested in mastering the task he is assigned. He would want to be the best in the field for his own satisfaction and pride. Accomplishment is a related factor and a person is motivated by sense of accomplishment when he knows that doing a job perfectly gives me an internal sense of fulfillment. Stimulation refers to the...
Motivation in Sport Take a look at the animal world and you will find the proof that game is an inherent feature of the virtually evaluated species. This has an important part in literacy and evolution. We witness many a mock fights between kittens and pups so as to enhance their stamina, speed, tolerance and will. Through such hatred free games, they rub their hands for survival and satisfy their urge
Motivation is regarded as a measure of internal drive to achieve a goal. It is an essential human instinct, because without motivation people would lack the ability to progress. The amount of internal drive an individual has is influenced by a variety of factors such as personal gain, individual need, attitude and consequence of actions, to name a few. While capturing and classifying all of the different types of motivation
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