What motivates us? Are we internally (aka, intrinsically) driven or extrinsically (aka, instrumentally) driven? Or maybe both?
When I wanted to develop my artificial kidney, that was driven by what is termed internal motivation. My desire was inherent to the research. When I began to write my blog, that was instrumentally (extrinsically) motivated- I had a desire for notoriety. (What? You are surprised? Come on, you get the straight truth here!)
One would think that being motivated both via internal and instrumental forces would goad us to do even better. But, not so fast. Drs. Amy Wrzsniewski, Michael Kane, Audrey Omar, and Thomas Kolditz (all of Yale) and Barry Schwartz (Swarthmore) thought so too. So, they began studying West Point cadets to examine their hypotheses.
They presented (this is an early release of the document) their study results in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. This data were collected over 14 years, by studying some 11,320 cadets (10 consecutive entering classes from 1997 to 2006) for their persistence and performance. However, the data from 1081 cadets was of insufficient quality to be included in the final analysis.
The cadets (male and female) all completed questionnaires as to how various motives were critical to their entering the academy and their reactions to events. It included their desire to secure a great job after West Point (instrumental or extrinsic motivation) or to be trained as among the best of leaders for the US Army (intrinsic or internal motives).
The study results demonstrate that extrinsic motives, those not directly related to the task at hand, actually dilute the quality of our efforts. The outcomes are less fruitful when this second modality comes into play. Intrinsic motivation insured the cadets graduated, got early promotions, and stayed as leaders in the Army. Once extrinsic motivation augmented their thoughts, the actual results were less than optimal.
This study has many ramifications. Of course, we now need to fully examine our own motives for doing various tasks. If we want the best results, we should find ways to minimize our external drives.
But, we really need to reconsider our educational reform processes. They may be failing because we didn’t recognize that we actually are promoting external motivational factors. Teachers who “teach to the test” are not the problem- it’s the various drives that motivates that action. Blending the instrumental (bonuses, for example) ruins the ability of the practitioner to benefit from the intrinsic motive. It may make the system seem more palatable and beneficial- but, in reality, it’s the reverse.
What about those who don’t have intrinsic motivation? And has the group grown over the years with extrinsic factors like video games?
That wasn’t studied, Marie. We need motivation to get things done- but it seems diffusing the reasons is what gets us to be less capable of achieving what we want.
Great article, Roy. I am beginning to do some study into this and have been coming to the same conclusions. I am learning that what we think about ourselves is far more powerful than what other people think about us. Makes sense if you think about human nature.
Absolutely correct, Sherrie. But, many of us miss that correlation- unless and until we consider the full effects.
This totally makes sense to me, Roy. A classic example is the artist who chooses to make a living from his/her art. What may have started as an intrinsic passion then becomes muddled with the external motivations of money and notoriety. It seems to me that more often than not, the intrinsic passion then starts to wane and the artist can become less of a success due to those instrumental motivations.
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I couldn’t have said it better myself, Suerae. Oh, wait! I didn’t- YOU did!
Thanks for that wonderful analysis.
The thing is, we all need, extrinsic motivations at some point. After all, we have to make a living, right? I would love to focus my efforts on what makes me grow, but unfortunately it wouldn’t pay the bills. I wish it would.
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I am not sure we do, Muriel. But, it’s also not clear that a solely extrinsic motivation will not suffice; it’s when both motivations are in play that our performance suffers.
I would be interested in a broader survey. I would think that military cadets have similar characteristics to some extent and that they are not representative of the population as a whole.
I am not sure that the choice of military cadets is a bad one, Alessa. For starters, they are easily sampled often. And, I don’t think they are more or less motivated than the rest of us.
But, I do agree that another series of samples would be very useful- because we want to be positive about our scientific conclusions.