Module 3: Extrinsic Motivation

Question 1

what is extrinsic motivation

Answer 1

motivation that arises from environmental incentives/consequences to do a behaviour

Question 2

what type of conditioning principles is extrinsic motivation based on?

Answer 2

operant conditioning principles

engaging in behaviours that produce attractive consequences + not engaging in behaviours that produce aversive consequences

Question 3

what is the general equation for extrinsic motivation

Answer 3

S : R –> C

S = situational cue (an incentive)
: = sets the occasion for
R = response (behaviour)
–> = causes
C = consequence (reinforcer/punisher)

Question 4

what is a reinforcer

Answer 4

any object/event that increases the future likelihood of a behaviour

Question 5

why does a reinforcer increase the likelihood of a future behaviour?

Answer 5

typically decreases a drive, decreases/increases arousal, or is perceived as attractive/pleasurable

Question 6

what are the two types of reinforcers

Answer 6

positive and negative

Question 7

what is a positive reinforcer

Answer 7

a reinforcer that increases behaviour because it is presented

Question 8

negative reinforcer

Answer 8

a reinforcer that increases behaviour because it is removed

Question 9

what is a punisher

Answer 9

any object or event that decreases the future likelihood of behaviour

Question 10

what is the difference between a reinforcer and a reward

Answer 10

a reinforcer increases the likelihood that a behaviour increases in the future

rewards don’t necessarily imply that a behaviour is going to increase in the future

Question 11

why are punishers not always effective?

Answer 11

could lead to many short/long term unintentional consequences such as:
- negative emotions
- impaired relationships between punisher and punishee
-modelling negative coping methods with undesirable behaviour in others

Question 12

what is intrinsic motivation

Answer 12

motivation that arises from an innate strivings for personal growth and psychological need satisfaction

Question 13

what main component drives intrinsic motivation

Answer 13

psychological need satisfaction

Question 14

what are the three psychological needs that contribute to intrinsic motivation

Answer 14

autonomy: person feels free
compentence: person feels effective
relatedness: person feels emotionally close

Question 15

what is the intended primary effect of rewards

Answer 15

promotes compliance

Question 16

what are the unintended side effects of rewards

Answer 16

undermines intrinsic motivation

interferes with quality and process of learning

interferes with capacity for autonomous self-regulation

Question 17

what are the benefits of extrinsic motivation

Answer 17

valuable when trying to increase socially important but uninteresting behaviour such as (ex basic life skills)

Question 18

what is cognitive evaluation theory

Answer 18

states that the effect of an external effect on intrinsic motivation depends on two aspects of the event - the controlling aspect and the informational aspect

external events that increase autonomy/competence will also increase intrinsic motivation

Question 19

what does the controlling aspect of cognitive evaluation theory affect

Answer 19

a person’s psychological need for autonomy

Question 20

what does the informational aspect of cognitive evaluation theory affect?

Answer 20

a person’s psychological need for competence

Question 21

what are the 4 main types of regulations that contribute to extrinsic motivation

Answer 21

external regulation

introjected regulation

identified regulation

integrated regulation

Question 22

what is external regulation (extrinsic motivation)

Answer 22

behaviour is enacted to obtain a reward, obtain a punishment, or to satisfy an external demand

no level of autonomy

ex. I recycle because I want the cash deposit back

Question 23

what is introjected regulation (extrinsic motivation)

Answer 23

behaviour is enacted to obtain a self-administered reward or to avoid a self-administered punishment

moderate level of autonomy

ex. I recycle because if I don’t, I will feel guilty

Question 24

what is identified regulation (extrinsic motivation)

Answer 24

behaviour is enacted because it is personally important or useful

high level of autonomy

ex. I recycle because its important to me to protect the environment

Question 25

what is integrated regulation (extrinsic motivation)

Answer 25

behaviour that is enacted because it coheres with values that have been incorporated into the self

highest level of autonomy

ex. I recycle because I am an environmentalist

Question 26

what is internalization

Answer 26

the process through which an individual transforms a formerly externally prescribed rule/behaviour/value into an internally endorsed one

Question 27

what is integration

Answer 27

the transformation of internalized values, behaviours, and regulations into a person’s sense of self