Extrinsic Motivation

Question 1

What do we focus on when considering extrinsic motivation?

Answer 1

Antecedent Conditions - understanding how factors of the environment influence the status of motivation

Question 2

Extrinsic Motivation

Answer 2

• Motivation that arises from environmental consequences (incentives or disincentives) to do a behaviour
• “Do X, get Y”

Question 3

Based on what learning principles can we understand extrinsic motivation?

Answer 3

• Operant Conditioning Principles
• Engaging in behaviours that produce desired consequences/not engaging in behaviours that produce undesired consequences

Question 4

Explain the difference between a reinforcer and a reward

Answer 4

• 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

Question 5

Reinforcer:

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Punisher

Answer 6

any object or event that decreases the future likelihood of a behaviour

Question 7

Positive reinforcer

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Negative reinforcer

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Positive punisher

Answer 9

decreases behaviour because an unpleasant stimulus is presented

Ex: a spanking decreases the misbehaviour of a child
Ex: a speeding ticket decreases speeding behaviour

Question 10

Negative punisher

Answer 10

decreases behaviour because a pleasant stimulus is removed

Ex: the removal of a PlayStation decreases the misbehaviour of a child

Question 11

What are some consequences of using punishers?

Answer 11

• 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

Question 12

What is the intended consequence (short-term benefit) of a punishment?

Answer 12

• immediate complience
• this doesn’t teach the person anything, it’s a short-term fix

Question 13

What does “Poor More Internalization” mean?

Answer 13

For example: not understanding why it’s important not to hit your sibling

Question 14

Intrinsic Motivation

Answer 14

• 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

Question 15

What are the intended primary effects of rewards and some unintended side effects?

Answer 15

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

Question 16

When is extrinsic motivation useful?

Answer 16

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

Question 17

What is the main quality of a good external reward?

Answer 17

• it has to be unpredictable and intangible

Ex: a surprise bonus point for coming to class

Question 18

Extrinsic Motivation: External Regulation

Answer 18

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.”

Question 19

Extrinsic Motivation: Introjected Regulation

Answer 19

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.”

Question 20

Extrinsic Motivation: Identified Regulation

Answer 20

behaviour is enacted because it is personally important or useful

Ex: “I recycle because a cleaner environment lets me live a healthier life.”

Question 21

Extrinsic Motivation: Integrated Regulation

Answer 21

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.”

Question 22

What are the extrinsic motivation regulations in order from most self-determined to not self-determined?

Answer 22

integrated, identified, introjected, external

Question 23

Internalization:

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Internalization Help: Explanatory Rationales:

Answer 24

– 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”

Question 25

Internalization Help: Enhancing Interest

Answer 25

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