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Motivation driven by external rewards or outcomes rather than enjoyment of the activity itself

Core Idea: Extrinsic motivation occurs when an activity is performed to attain separable outcomes such as rewards, recognition, or to avoid punishment, rather than for inherent satisfaction.

Key Elements

• Defining Characteristics:

  • Focus on goals and outcomes rather than process
  • Activity might cease if rewards are removed
  • Often goal-oriented and results-driven
  • Can provide initial engagement but may decrease over time

• Common Forms:

  • Tangible Rewards: Money, prizes, material goods
  • Social Recognition: Status, praise, reputation
  • Grades/Evaluations: Academic or professional assessments
  • Avoidance: Performing actions to prevent negative consequences

• Left Brain Core Drives That Create It:

  • Core Drive 2 - Development & Accomplishment: Achievement, completing challenges, earning recognition
  • Core Drive 4 - Ownership & Possession: Acquiring rewards and resources
  • Core Drive 6 - Scarcity & Impatience: Pursuing rare or exclusive rewards

• Effectiveness Contexts:

  • Works well for routine, mechanical tasks
  • Effective for initial motivation and discovery phases
  • Useful when intrinsic motivation is difficult to generate
  • Can provide structure and clear goals

Additional Connections

• Broader Context: Behaviorism (theoretical foundation for reward-based motivation)
• Applications: Reward System Design (creating effective external motivation systems)
• See Also: Intrinsic Motivation (motivation from enjoyment of the activity itself)

References

1. Yu-kai Chou, Actionable Gamification
2. B.F. Skinner's work on operant conditioning
3. Edward Deci and Richard Ryan's research on motivation types

#motivation #psychology #gamification #rewards

Connections:

Sources:

• From: Chou-Actionable Gamification