Intrinsic motivation arises from within an individual, driven by personal satisfaction or interest in the task itself, while extrinsic motivation is fueled by external rewards or pressures, such as money, grades, or praise. Understanding the balance between these motivations is crucial for enhancing performance, engagement, and long-term satisfaction in various settings, including education and the workplace.
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Self-Determination Theory (SDT) is a psychological framework that emphasizes the role of intrinsic motivation and the fulfillment of basic psychological needs—autonomy, competence, and relatedness—in fostering optimal human functioning and well-being. It posits that environments supporting these needs enhance motivation and personal growth, while those that thwart them can lead to diminished motivation and well-being.
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Cognitive Evaluation Theory suggests that external rewards can undermine intrinsic motivation by shifting the perceived locus of causality from internal to external. This theory emphasizes the importance of autonomy and competence in maintaining intrinsic motivation, highlighting how controlling feedback or rewards can diminish an individual's inherent interest in an activity.
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The overjustification effect occurs when an external incentive like a reward decreases a person's intrinsic motivation to perform a task they already find enjoyable. This phenomenon suggests that while rewards can initially boost performance, they may ultimately undermine a person's internal desire to engage in the activity for its own sake.
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Autonomy refers to the capacity and right of an individual or entity to make independent decisions and govern themselves without external control. It is a fundamental principle in ethics, politics, and personal development, emphasizing self-determination and freedom of choice.
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Competence refers to the combination of skills, knowledge, and abilities that enable an individual to perform tasks successfully in a specific context. It is dynamic and can be developed over time through education, training, and experience to meet evolving demands and challenges.
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Relatedness refers to the degree of connection or association between entities, ideas, or individuals, often influencing how they interact or understand each other. It is a fundamental concept in various disciplines, impacting everything from social dynamics to cognitive processes and evolutionary biology.
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Goal Orientation Theory posits that individuals' motivation and behavior in achievement contexts are influenced by their orientation towards mastery or performance goals. Mastery-oriented individuals focus on learning and self-improvement, while performance-oriented individuals aim to demonstrate competence relative to others.
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Expectancy-Value Theory posits that an individual's motivation to engage in a task is determined by their expectations of success and the value they place on the task's outcome. This theory emphasizes the role of cognitive processes in motivation, suggesting that beliefs about ability and task importance drive behavior.
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Reinforcement Theory, rooted in behaviorism, posits that behavior is a function of its consequences, meaning positive reinforcement increases the likelihood of a behavior recurring, while negative reinforcement or punishment decreases it. This theory is widely applied in fields such as psychology and organizational behavior to shape and modify behavior through systematic reinforcement strategies.
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Performance avoidance is a motivational orientation where individuals strive to avoid negative judgments of their competence, often leading to anxiety and reduced engagement in tasks. This approach can hinder learning and development, as individuals may prioritize avoiding failure over achieving success.
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Theory X and Theory Y are two contrasting management styles proposed by Douglas McGregor that depict two different views of workforce motivation and behavior. Theory X assumes that employees are inherently lazy and need constant supervision, while Theory Y believes that employees are self-motivated and thrive on responsibility if given the right conditions.
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