Intrinsic Motivation

Intrinsic Motivation is when you do something because you really like it, not because you get a reward from outside. It’s about doing things for the joy or interest they bring you, not for a prize or to avoid trouble. For example, when you’re intrinsically motivated, you might read a book because you love the story, solve puzzles because it’s fun, or play sports because you enjoy how they make you feel, not because you want a trophy or someone’s approval. This kind of motivation makes you really get into what you’re doing, be creative, and keep going even when it gets tough. People who find their motivation from inside themselves often keep doing their activities even when there’s no outside reward. They do it because they love it, and this can make them feel really satisfied and happy with what they’re doing.

Example:

1. Enjoying Reading: Picking up a book because the story interests you or you want to learn, not because it’s homework.
2. Playing Music: Spending time with your guitar or piano because it feels good and you like getting better, and not to pass a test or impress someone.

Features of Intrinsic Motivation:

• Doing What you Love: The biggest thing about intrinsic motivation is that you do things because they make you happy, not for rewards like money or prizes.
• Following your Interests: You choose to do things that grab your attention or that you’re passionate about. It’s all about what you find fun and interesting.
• Getting Really into It: When you’re doing something you’re intrinsically motivated to do, you can get so focused that you lose track of time. This is when you’re really into what you’re doing.
• Feeling Free: Intrinsic Motivation is all about feeling like you’re choosing to do things on your own, without anyone telling you to. This sense of choice really matters.

Advantages of Intrinsic Motivation:

• Better Learning and More New Ideas: When you’re motivated, you’re more curious and creative. You like to try new things, which helps you learn better and come up with cool ideas.
• Doing Better at Tasks: People usually do a better job when they like what they’re doing. They work harder and produce better results.
• Feeling Happier: Doing things you enjoy can make you happier and more satisfied with life. It meets important needs, like feeling free, good at what you do, and connected to others.

Disadvantages of Intrinsic Motivation:

• Missing Out on Rewards: Sometimes, focusing just on what you enjoy might mean you miss out on external rewards like money, promotions, or praise that are also important.
• Feeling Left Out: If your interests are very different from those around you, it might make you feel lonely or like you don’t fit in, especially when others are doing things together.
• Hard to Support and Measure: For teachers or bosses, it can be tough to figure out how to encourage intrinsic motivation, especially when things, like grades or pay are usually what motivate people.

Motivation is what makes us do things. It’s really important if you want to get something done, like finishing a project or reaching a goal. Sometimes, the push to act comes from wanting to feel good about ourselves or enjoying what we do. Other times, it might be because we want to get a reward, like money or praise, or to avoid something we don’t like. It helps us keep going, even when things get tough, and makes sure we stick with our tasks until we’re done. Motivation affects everything we do, from the big goals we chase to the small choices we make every day. It could be wanting to do well at work, living healthier, or helping others. Motivation keeps us moving, helps us focus, and gives us the energy to act.

Geeky Takeaways:

• It’s the push we need to start something and stick with it, whether it’s a small job or a big dream. Motivation can come from wanting to feel good or getting a reward.
• Motivation is what helps us not give up, even when things are tough. It helps us push through challenges.
• Motivation is important for making our dreams come true. It keeps us working hard and makes us feel good when we achieve something.
• Different types of motivation include intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, achievement motivation, and affiliation motivation.