Self-Determination Theory: The Concept Of Motivation
1. The Concept of Motivation
Each concept or idea has its own history determined by the general evolution of human thought. For many years, the understanding of the term and the research on motivation were dominated by the so-called drive reduction theories. Psychologists identified a large number of human needs (both biological and psychological ones), all of them causing inner tensions, which had to be released in one way or another. In 1964, Atkinson (quoted in Williams and Burden, 1997: 113) tried a more promising reformulation of the drive reduction approach to motivation. Its basic premise was that people differ quite markedly in their need to achieve or be successful. The lives of some people are dominated by the drive to succeed, to …show more content…
In proportion to this theory, the most fundamental difference is between intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation is the eagerness and interest to do and take part in some certain activities because an individual feels that they are attractive and pleasant. Students who have intrinsic motivation are inclined to stay with intricate and complicated problems and gain knowledge from their slips and mistakes (Walker, Greene, & Mansell, 2006). Besides, intrinsic motivation is essential and fundamental for the integration process through which elements of one’s accessible internal awareness and knowledge is assimilated or mixed with new knowledge. Extrinsic motivation, on the other hand, is the propensity to take part in activities because of the reasons which do not link to the activity. These reasons can be the anticipation of reward or punishment, like being successful in the exam or getting a good mark (Vansteenkiste, Lens, & Deci, 2006).International Journal of Business and Social Science Vol. 3 No. 24 [Special Issue – December
Each concept or idea has its own history determined by the general evolution of human thought. For many years, the understanding of the term and the research on motivation were dominated by the so-called drive reduction theories. Psychologists identified a large number of human needs (both biological and psychological ones), all of them causing inner tensions, which had to be released in one way or another. In 1964, Atkinson (quoted in Williams and Burden, 1997: 113) tried a more promising reformulation of the drive reduction approach to motivation. Its basic premise was that people differ quite markedly in their need to achieve or be successful. The lives of some people are dominated by the drive to succeed, to …show more content…
In proportion to this theory, the most fundamental difference is between intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation is the eagerness and interest to do and take part in some certain activities because an individual feels that they are attractive and pleasant. Students who have intrinsic motivation are inclined to stay with intricate and complicated problems and gain knowledge from their slips and mistakes (Walker, Greene, & Mansell, 2006). Besides, intrinsic motivation is essential and fundamental for the integration process through which elements of one’s accessible internal awareness and knowledge is assimilated or mixed with new knowledge. Extrinsic motivation, on the other hand, is the propensity to take part in activities because of the reasons which do not link to the activity. These reasons can be the anticipation of reward or punishment, like being successful in the exam or getting a good mark (Vansteenkiste, Lens, & Deci, 2006).International Journal of Business and Social Science Vol. 3 No. 24 [Special Issue – December