Extrinsic Motivation Flashcards
What do we focus on when considering extrinsic motivation?
Antecedent Conditions - understanding how factors of the environment influence the status of motivation
Extrinsic Motivation
- Motivation that arises from environmental consequences (incentives or disincentives) to do a behaviour
- “Do X, get Y”
Based on what learning principles can we understand extrinsic motivation?
- Operant Conditioning Principles
- Engaging in behaviours that produce desired consequences/not engaging in behaviours that produce undesired consequences
Explain the difference between a reinforcer and a reward
- both are something an environment presents to you
- reinforcers are usually presented or removed but it’s something that will increase the likelihood of a behaviour
- we sometimes get a reward but that may not influence our behaviour
- Not all rewards are reinforcers
Ex: a bonus point may not influence you to show up to class
Reinforcer:
any object or event that increases the future likelihood of a behaviour
Punisher
any object or event that decreases the future likelihood of a behaviour
Positive reinforcer
increases behaviour because a pleasant stimulus is presented
Ex: a smile increases the behaviour of helping a stranger
Ex: a toy increases the behaviour of whining
Negative reinforcer
increases behaviour because an unpleasant stimulus is removed
Ex: the removal of a headache increases medicine-taking behaviour because it removes pain
Ex: the seatbelt noise increases seatbelt-wearing behaviour because it gets removed
Positive punisher
decreases behaviour because an unpleasant stimulus is presented
Ex: a spanking decreases the misbehaviour of a child
Ex: a speeding ticket decreases speeding behaviour
Negative punisher
decreases behaviour because a pleasant stimulus is removed
Ex: the removal of a PlayStation decreases the misbehaviour of a child
What are some consequences of using punishers?
- Negative emotionality (e.g., fear, over-arousal)
- Impaired relationship between punisher and punishee
- Discomfort, distress - not going to be positive in the long-term
- Modeling negative ways of coping with undesirable behaviour in others
Ex: showing your child it’s okay to hit
What is the intended consequence (short-term benefit) of a punishment?
- immediate complience
- this doesn’t teach the person anything, it’s a short-term fix
What does “Poor More Internalization” mean?
For example: not understanding why it’s important not to hit your sibling
Intrinsic Motivation
- motivation that arises from an inherent and spontaneous inclination towards interest, exploration, and environmental mastery
- Emerges from innate strivings for personal growth and psychological need satisfaction
What are the intended primary effects of rewards and some unintended side effects?
intended effect: compliance
unintended side effects:
- undermines intrinsic motivation
- interferes with the quality and process of learning
- interferes with self-autonomy
Study Example:
- One group was rewarded for playing a game the other was not
- Both groups enjoyed the game
- When asked to play again, the group that got a reward didn’t get one this time around and they were much less interested in playing the game, decrease in motivation as a result of being extrinsically rewarded
When is extrinsic motivation useful?
When we are trying to increase socially important but intrinsically uninteresting behaviours
ex: brushing teeth, stopping and stop signs, recycling
things that we don’t normally want to do but are good qualities to have
What is the main quality of a good external reward?
- it has to be unpredictable and intangible
Ex: a surprise bonus point for coming to class
Extrinsic Motivation: External Regulation
behaviour is enacted to obtain a reward, to avoid a punishment, or to satisfy an external demand
Ex: “I recycle because I want the cash deposit back.”
Extrinsic Motivation: Introjected Regulation
behaviour is enacted to satisfy an external demand that has been partially internalized (to obtain a self-administered reward or to avoid a self-administered punishment)
Ex: “I recycle because if I don’t, I will feel guilty about damaging the environment.”
Extrinsic Motivation: Identified Regulation
behaviour is enacted because it is personally important or useful
Ex: “I recycle because a cleaner environment lets me live a healthier life.”
Extrinsic Motivation: Integrated Regulation
behaviour is enacted because it coheres with values that have been incorporated into the self
Ex: “I recycle because it reflects a deeply held belief that the Earth must be preserved for future generations.”
What are the extrinsic motivation regulations in order from most self-determined to not self-determined?
integrated, identified, introjected, external
Internalization:
the process through which an individual transforms a formerly externally prescribed rule, behaviour, or value into an internally endorsed one
Internalization Help: Explanatory Rationales:
– providing new information that sparks valuing, identified regulation, and internalization
Ex: “ you shouldn’t hit your sibling because when you hit them they won’t do what you wanted them to do in the first place, or cause it hurts bad”
Internalization Help: Enhancing Interest
e.g., setting a goal, adding an extra source of stimulation
Ex: a professor adding humour to a topic that they want their students to take interest in
