Extrinsic motivation
Acting to obtain an outcome distinct from the activity itself.
Definition
Extrinsic motivation is motivation to perform an activity because of a consequence or purpose separable from doing that activity.
How to understand it
The consequence might be payment, approval, avoiding a penalty, or reaching a personally valued goal. Self-determination theory distinguishes different degrees of autonomy within extrinsic motivation. An instrumental reason is not necessarily experienced as coercion, and external incentives do not make an activity inherently worthless or harmful.
To use the concept precisely, name both the task and the desired consequence. Ask whether the person endorses that consequence rather than assuming that all reasons beyond enjoyment have the same meaning. This approach keeps the definition separate from an evaluation of whether the arrangement is fair, useful, or sustainable.
Evidence: (Spielman et al., 2020); (Ryan and Deci (2020), Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation from a Self-Determination Theory Perspective: Definitions, Theory, Practices, and Future Directions, n.d.); (Ryan and Deci (2000), Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivations: Classic Definitions and New Directions, n.d.)
Training for a practical goal
Teaching scenario
Imagine a museum volunteer completing an unfamiliar spreadsheet tutorial. They do not enjoy the exercises but want to manage the exhibition budget accurately. Another volunteer completes the same tutorial because a supervisor requires a certificate. Both have reasons beyond the exercises themselves, but the first explicitly values the practical goal. If either person also discovers an interest in spreadsheets, the motives may coexist. This example does not establish which volunteer will learn more. It shows why labeling every instrumental motive as forced misses an important difference in the person’s account.
Constructed for learning. This scenario is not a report of an empirical finding or a diagnosis.
Common confusion: Intrinsic motivation
A valued outcome can be freely endorsed and still be extrinsic when it is distinct from enjoyment of the activity itself.
Compare intrinsic and extrinsic motivation
Evidence: (Spielman et al., 2020); (Ryan and Deci (2020), Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation from a Self-Determination Theory Perspective: Definitions, Theory, Practices, and Future Directions, n.d.); (Ryan and Deci (2000), Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivations: Classic Definitions and New Directions, n.d.)
Limits of the concept
- Extrinsic motivation is not automatically inferior or harmful.
- The effects of rewards depend on their form, meaning, and context.
Evidence: (Spielman et al., 2020); (Ryan and Deci (2020), Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation from a Self-Determination Theory Perspective: Definitions, Theory, Practices, and Future Directions, n.d.); (Ryan and Deci (2000), Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivations: Classic Definitions and New Directions, n.d.)
Textbook connection
Direct coveragePsychology 2e: 10.1 Motivation
The subsection explicitly discusses this concept.
Supplementary concepts may extend beyond this section. The source notes below identify the evidence for those details.
Related concepts
Check understanding · Inspect how psychological evidence is built
Sources and inspection notes
Checked October 21, 2026. An inspection date is not a source publication date. Definitions and scenarios on this page are original teaching explanations.
- Ryan and deci (2000), intrinsic and extrinsic motivations: Classic definitions and new directions. (n.d.). https://selfdeterminationtheory.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/2000_RyanDeci_IntExtDefs.pdfPrimary-author theoretical review
Opening definitions and discussion of autonomous extrinsic motivation inspected. DOI: 10.1006/ceps.1999.1020. Inspected on 21 October 2026.
- Ryan and deci (2020), intrinsic and extrinsic motivation from a self-determination theory perspective: Definitions, theory, practices, and future directions. (n.d.). https://selfdeterminationtheory.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2020_RyanDeci_IntrinsicandExtrinsic.pdfPrimary-author theoretical review
Abstract, introductory framing, and intrinsic motivation subsection inspected. DOI: 10.1016/j.cedpsych.2020.101860. Inspected on 21 October 2026.
- Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020). Psychology 2e. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/10-1-motivationCourse textbook subsection
Title, URL, and relevant subsection text inspected on 21 October 2026. Used for concept checking and course navigation; no textbook exercises or illustrations reproduced.