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IntrinsicVsExtrinsicRewards

Intrinsic rewards are when you do something because of some internal motivation. Extrinsic rewards are when you have a direct external motivator (such as money or a job assignment).

Interestingly, educational theory social scientists find in their studies that extrinsic motivation decreases motivation (in various ways), but business school people find that it increases motivation (in various ways).

Arguments for intrinsic rewards

Magic marker study

A study had two groups of kids, the play group and the contest group. The play group played with magic markers, while the contest group had a contest for best picture drawn with magic markers.

After this period, both groups were allowed to do what they wanted; magic markers were still available should the kids wish to use them. The kids in the contest group were uninterested in playing with magic markers at this point, but the play group still played with them.

References

The book Punished by Rewards has more along these lines.


CategorySocialScience

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