Saturday, August 2, 2008
11:29 AM
Extrinsic VS Intrinsic MotivationMotivation is the reason or reasons for engaging in a particular behavior. These reasons may include basic needs such as food or a desired object, hobbies, goal, state of being or ideal. Hence, there is a need for motivation for every human being on Earth. But how exactly is it important and which is more superior over each other?
To me, I feel that intrinsic motivation is the more important motivation and I think that it is more predominantly used in Singapore. Intrinsic motivation is when people engage in an activity, such as a hobby, without obvious external incentives. I.e. it drives people to perform an activity for which they receive no reward except the activity itself. Intrinsic motivation is very important in the educational and sports sector in Singapore. Since Singapore promotes life-long learning, it is important that Singaporeans are intrinsically motivated to study just for the enjoyment of studying and learning new stuffs and experiences. It should be purely just for the sake of expanding their minds and improving their knowledge, and not just solely plain on getting certificates to look for higher-paid jobs. In the sports sector in Singapore, many young kids and also adults are amateurs that learn sport games and play them occasionally. Most of them do not have in mind the goal of being professionals and they play fairly and derive pleasure from playing the sport. For example during weekends, some working adults would meet up with their friends and play soccer at fields.
In knowledge-sharing communities and organizations, people often cite altruistic reasons for their participation, including contributing to a common good, a moral obligation to the group, mentorship or 'giving back'. Intrinsic motivation is the motivation that comes from inside the performer. For example, people compete in games (but fair-play is achieved) for the name and love of the sport.
By using intrinsic motivation, Singaporeans will be less motivated solely by a desire for selfish gain. Likewise, intrinsic motivation can also help to draw out playfulness, conviction, amateurish actions and innovativeness. Singaporeans will then be termed more compassionate.
In response to Melissa’s post:
Other than intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation does exist in Singapore and it is very important in helping Singaporeans achieve their goals. She is right in saying that laws implemented in forms of fines are a source of extrinsic motivation that discourages people from doing certain harmful acts. Likewise, she also supports her stand that extrinsic motivation also acts as a form of reward to Singaporeans by focusing on the merits implemented in the educational sector.
Jessie :)
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