1.1.3

Question 1

Intrinsic motivations

Answer 1

Motivations are almost always linked to some
advantage that we gain from doing something,
so in that sense, you could argue that all
motivations are intrinsic motivations.
That wouldn’t make this distinction all that useful, so we’ll keep intrinsic motivations to
What motivates a person to go rafting? Many
adventure sports, including rafting, feature intrinsic
motivations such as fun, adrenalin rushes and
personal satisfaction.
refer to the motivations that literally come from within us

Question 2

Extrinsic motivations

Answer 2

What about extrinsic motivation? What could come from outside of us to achieve the same affect? One
example is obvious: money. Many of the things that people do in the outdoors – from professional
snowboarders and surfers to farmers and parks rangers – they do because, at some point, they will
get paid to do these things.

Question 3

Concept of flow

Answer 3

[Flow is] being completely involved in
High
an activity for its own sake. The ego
falls away. Time flies. Every action,
movement, and thought follows
inevitably from the previous one
When someone is doing something with
such concentration that nothing else matters,
time seems to move incredibly quickly.
When you’re in a ‘flow’ experience:
* you feel at one with the world – your
sense of being an individual disappears
* you let go of worries and problems
you’re completely focused
* you feel satisfied with what you’re doing
* you’re happy, although you probably don’t notice it as you are completely engrossed in what
you’re doing.
This is flow, and is possibly one of the key motivations for participants who are experienced in
outdoor activities.
The Buddhist practice known as ‘mindfulness’ creates a similar effect, and is something many adventurers
and recreationists practice.