| Extrinsic motivation is when a person is motivated to | | | | It is important to note that extrinsic motivation focuses |
| do something based on external factors, which come | | | | an individual's attention on the reward they will receive |
| in the form of rewards. The offer of money is a | | | | in the end as opposed to the action or the "doing" |
| particularly common extrinsic motivator. This is | | | | aspect. |
| opposed to the concept behind intrinsic motivation | | | | In most cases what happens is that if the reward is |
| where a person is moved to do something in order to | | | | taken away from the person they will then stop doing |
| help others or simply to make himself or herself happy. | | | | the action. The same is true with regards to negative |
| Sometimes extrinsic motivation can be of the positive | | | | extrinsic motivation- a person is motivated by avoiding |
| kind while other times it can be negative. Positive | | | | pain, embarrassment, disappointment by others, public |
| extrinsic motivation can come by way of incentives, | | | | humiliation etc. |
| money, discounts, etc. | | | | This however can work well if a person is engaged in |
| For example many airlines offer discounts as well as | | | | a behavior that another person wants them to stop |
| air miles and bonuses to convince customers to fly | | | | doing. First give the person an extrinsic reward for |
| with them instead of their competition. | | | | doing said behaviour and then take away the reward. |
| Many workplaces offer promotions, cash incentives or | | | | With no reward in sight the person is very likely to stop |
| trips as a form of positive extrinsic motivation in a | | | | doing the unwanted activity and the problem will be |
| tangible way. Other forms of extrinsic motivation that | | | | solved. |
| are commonly found at offices are intangible forms | | | | Extrinsic motivation is very much a part of many |
| such as public commendations or praise for a job well | | | | workplaces. Tangible rewards such as promotions, |
| done. | | | | money, newer office equipment or a bigger, brighter |
| When students are offered the chance for a fun class | | | | office are very common, as are tangible rewards that |
| trip or a pizza party for the class that sells the most | | | | have to do with being "dressed down" by a superior or |
| chocolate bars for the school, this is a form of positive | | | | being punished in one form or another (such as a |
| extrinsic motivation. | | | | demotion or being made to take leave without pay). |
| Extrinsic motivation has its negative side as well. | | | | Intangible rewards work as extrinsic motivation, which |
| Negative extrinsic motivation can also be used to push | | | | include praise for one's accomplishments and/or a |
| people into doing something. | | | | public acknowledgment of work that was well handled |
| Negative motivation often takes the form of threats, | | | | or well done. |
| blackmail, bribery or pressure in one form or another. | | | | Intrinsic motivation does not work as well in the |
| Extrinsic motivation, whether it is positive or negative is | | | | working world because the number one reason people |
| usually very effective and easy but also it can take a | | | | work is to make money to pay their mortgage or rent |
| cruel or crude form. | | | | and all other bills, feed their families and build a life. |
| When someone is threatened with physical harm or | | | | As well not every person chooses a job based on |
| their loved ones are threatened with physical harm by | | | | how much a given field of work means to him or her. |
| an unsavoury individual, negative extrinsic motivation will | | | | Many people simply take jobs as a means to an end |
| get the aggressor what they want but by way of fear | | | | or look at things such as how close in vicinity the job is |
| and intimidation. | | | | to their home, the hours, the rate of pay, etc. |