12 Extrinsic Motivation Examples

What is extrinsic motivation and what are extrinsic motivation examples?

We are usually motivated to complete a task because of the reward involved. For example, people who are extrinsically motivated will complete a task to earn a wage even if they don’t find it interesting.

Extrinsic motivation involves engaging in behaviours that you don’t find enjoyable or satisfying but you have to do because it’s rewarding or prevents a punishment.

There are more examples like going to work every day of the week because you want to earn money or studying for a test because you want good grades. There are several things people do because they want something good out of it not because it’s something they find interesting.

We will discuss more examples in this article, but let’s define extrinsic motivation.

What Is Extrinsic Motivation?

While intrinsic motivation arises within the individual, extrinsic motivation is driven by external rewards. It refers to the drive to complete a task in exchange for a reward.

These rewards may include money, grades, fame, special privileges, trophies, or praise.

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Extrinsic vs. Intrinsic Motivation

Extrinsic motivation is entirely the opposite of intrinsic motivation. These two groups describe how people are motivated differently to do a task.

Generally, extrinsic means external factors that motivate an individual to do something, while intrinsic motivation comes from within.

For example, people who are intrinsically motivated will engage in activities because they enjoy doing so and are satisfied doing it. On the other hand, those who are extrinsically motivated will do something not for the love or satisfaction of doing it but because there is a reward for doing it.

Extrinsic	Intrinsic
Participating in a sports to win a reward or to be physically fit.	Participating in a sport because you enjoy it.
You are spending more time with an individual because they can upgrade your social status.	You are spending more time with an individual because you love being around them.
Cleaning the bedroom because you don’t want your partner to get angry.	Cleaning the bedroom because it’s the right thing to do.
Learning a new language because it’s part of a job requirement.	Learning a new language because you find it interesting and want a new experience.

Examples of Extrinsic Motivation

Let’s explore the examples of extrinsic motivation.

#1. Praise

Praise can motivate teamwork in the workplace to improve productivity.

People may perform their tasks more efficiently or work towards improving productivity when they receive approval from their supervisors.

We all love to be acknowledged for something we have done perfectly that others admire. In a situation where a supervisor is impressed with a worker’s performance, the worker feels pride and accomplishment for his skills.

The worker has gained recognition from his supervisor and have being applauded for a job well done.

This may cause other workers to put in more effort to complete their tasks in a manner that they hope to be acknowledged. They want to receive more praise subsequently.

#2. Rewards

Knowing you will receive a reward after completing a task is extrinsically motivated. For example, an employee will put in more effort to complete a task when he is promised to receive rewards like bonuses, a new office, gift cards, or extra vacation time.

These rewards are motivation to work towards accomplishing a goal. Although the task may not be one the worker finds interesting to do but because there is a reward involved, somebody has to take the prize.

In some situations, an employer may need workers to work extra shifts to meet a deadline and the reward for those who would take up the task is an extra vacation time. Now some of the workers may take the extra shift not because they love to, but because there is a reward.

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#3. Money

The popular saying “money makes the world go round” is something we all can agree on. It’s used to make things happen and it almost solves every problem there is.

Money gets people working just as it makes people quit a low-paying job for a high paying one.

People take their job seriously because they are getting paid at the end of the week or the end of the month. Money sustains business and has become the central motivation in capitalist societies.

With money, there are countless things one could do and acquire in the world today. With it, you can hire professionals with the best skills to build a business.

#4. Special Privileges

Special privileges are rewards given to an individual as a result of good behaviour.

For example, teachers will give pupils access to special toys for their outstanding performance and behaviour in school. This is usually for kids between the ages of 7 to 14.

Adults receive special privileges in return for favouring someone who is influential. Take politicians for example, they give special privileges to the press in return for some favourable press coverage.

#5. Trophies and Certificates

These are given to people as an honourable recognition for participating in sports or completing an education or skill. Obtaining a certificate or winning a trophy is an extrinsic motivator.

For example, a school athlete may just be training hard to win the gold medal in the 100 meters race not because he enjoys running, but because he wants the top prize.

#6. Good Grades

Aiming for good grades in school is also one of the examples of extrinsic motivation.

A student’s performance in school reflects on his grade. It shows how a student has been able to understand what is been taught in class and the performance compared to other students.

When a student decides to study to get good grades because he enjoys it, it’s considered an intrinsic motivation. But, when the student study’s for good grades and does not enjoy doing so, it’s extrinsically motivated.

#7. Food

We often use food as an extrinsic reward for self-motivation.

For example, we may decide to treat ourselves to a special meal if we can study for a specific number of hours. Or, we may decide to treat ourselves to an expensive meal after getting promoted at the office.

#8. Avoiding Punishments

This is something I can relate to as someone who grew up in a home where you get punished for failing to do the house chores. Sometimes it’s at school for failing to do your homework.

So, in order not to receive any punishment, I get my homework done in time and whatever I have to do at home, I make sure I do it to avoid any punishment.

I can say I was doing the house chores because I don’t want to receive any punishment and not because I enjoyed doing it for fun.

#9. Promotion

Every employee I can say is looking for a promotion at their workplace. According to Indeed.com, promotions are one of the most common forms of extrinsic motivation.

Employers can use promotions to motivate their employees and improve productivity. For example, if there is an open position at the office, an employer can use it to motivate workers by saying ‘The new position will be given to an employee based on work performance.

#10. Bonuses

Bonuses are usually given to employees who have performed excellently at work and meet certain criteria. Many business owners use bonuses to encourage better work performance among employees.

There are several bonuses that companies offer to employees as an act of appreciation such as holidays, retention, or spot.

#11. Attention

A lot of people in today’s society will do many things just to get attention. From doing something odd to wearing uncomfortable clothing, there is a list of things people do just to get attention.

Someone who is trying to get attention is doing all that because they want to but because they yearn for something extra.

#12. Public Recognition

Just like seeking attention for a reason we can’t understand, many people are motivated by recognition, especially if it’s from a popular figure.

The public recognition they seek may be in a public hearing or a company’s speech. The comments are rewarding and most times, it’s from people we know saying nice things about us.

Conclusion

While intrinsic motivation arises within the individual, extrinsic motivation is driven by external rewards. It refers to the drive to complete a task in exchange for a reward.

Extrinsic motivation involves engaging in behaviours that you don’t find enjoyable or satisfying but you have to do because it’s rewarding or prevents a punishment.

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References

VeryWellMind: What Is Extrinsic Motivation?
SpringgHR: Extrinsic & Intrinsic Motivation Examples – What’s the Difference?
HepfulProfessor: 18 Extrinsic Motivation Examples
Indeed.com: Extrinsic Motivation: Definition, Examples and Importance
RM Ryan, EL Deci – Contemporary educational psychology, 2000: Intrinsic and extrinsic motivations: Classic definitions and new directions
D Filimonov – 2017: Extrinsic motivation and incentives

What Is Extrinsic Motivation?

Extrinsic vs. Intrinsic Motivation