Friday, August 1, 2008
10:14 PM
Extrinsic and Intrinsic motivationSomeone once said, “
If someone is going down the wrong road, he doesn't need motivation to speed him up. What he needs is education to turn him around.” This clearly shows us that though motivation has its advantages, it can lead one to make wrong decisions if not used in the right context. This is most likely the root of debate between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation- which is more beneficial than the other?
I feel that the predominant motivation in Singapore today is the use of extrinsic motivation in the form of rewards and fines. Our country is so strictly governed by law that many actions are restricted. Thus, our law system is a form of extrinsic motivation. For example, to ensure Singapore lives up to its reputation of being a clean and green city, laws are put into place to fine people for littering and spitting. Chewing gum was even banned to deter people from sticking gum in public places, thereby upholding our hygiene standards. Using extrinsic motivation no doubt has its pros, but if used too excessively, the intended outcome may backfire. As said in the passage, “external intervention sends the message that what the person is doing is unsatisfactory”. Thus, this may lead one to purposely act in the opposing direction, just to spite the control it is under. It may also not be totally motivational because people are forced by circumstances such as fines to behave in the intended way. Shouldn’t keeping Singapore clean and green the responsibility of everyone? Shouldn’t it be done out of love for the country? Hence, I feel that imposing fines for littering, spitting and so on may dilute the meaning of an act.
However, besides fines, extrinsic motivation can exist as rewards too. These rewards usually come in monetary form, or in the form of recognition and status. One example is the Friend of Singa Award which is awarded to Singapore students who are recognized for their courteous behavior and kind acts. The aim of this award is to spur students and their peers to display exemplary behavior. Though this is good, it may have negative effects as well. For instance, as students are nominated by their teachers, they may take pains to be that ‘model’ student in front of the teacher by putting up a fake façade. Once the backs of their teachers are turned, the student might start to behave in a rowdy manner. Thus, giving awards for exemplary behavior might develop a double-sided society where people put up a false front to mislead people, while in fact they might have many flaws in their character. This shows that giving awards can have its negative side and instead of motivating people, may encourage pretense.
As such, we must take precautions to ensure that extrinsic motivation is implemented in the right context with the right mindset. Only if people are willing to accept the motivation and use it to spur themselves on in the right direction, can motivation be optimally effective.
Melissa
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