EDU 2110

RESEARCH
PROJECT

INTRINSIC AND EXTRINSIC

MOTIVATION IN ELEMENTARY
STUDENTS

INTRODUCTION
My question is: Which students are extrinsically or
intrinsically motivated? and if there are trends present in
demographics.
To fully research and understand motivation styles; first we
must define intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, rely heavily on
existing research, and conduct my own.
By studying motivation, teachers can
appeal to all learning styles.
Before exploring motivation styles,
we must define each one.

INTRINSIC MOTIVATION
Intrinsic motivation is fueled by an inner drive in students and
associated with activities that are based on personal
satisfaction and rewards. ( Woolfolk, 2014).
This is shown by a student being interested in mastering a
topic, not just in achieving a good grade.
When students engage in playful and curiosity driven
behaviors in the absence of reward (Richard;Deci 2000),
intrinsic motivation is present.

EXTRINSIC MOTIVATION

Extrinsic motivation is fueled by the outside factors and what

can be gained from external sources. It is associated with
rewards and punishments ( Woolfolk 2014).
Extrinsic motivation comes from outside of the student and
and to attain an outcome.
Competition highly influences extrinsically students. It
encourages students do their best at all times ( Dewan 2014).

DOES INTRINSIC OR EXTRINSIC MOTIVATION

LEAD TO MORE SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS?
One of the most difficult task that
teachers face is how to motivate
their students. All teachers should
should be aware of what drives a
student to get good grades, have
good behavior, and their reason
behind learning. Some students
lack the drive that creates
motivation. From research it is
apparent that students from
different cultures dont value
independent learning so there is a
lack of intrinsic motivation.

 (1968) Abraham Maslows Hierarchy of Needs

Maslows
Hierarchy of
Needs is based on
deficiently needs;
that need to be
satisfied before
being needs; can
be met. Self
Actualization is at
the top of the
hierarchy, which is
truly fulfilling ones
potential
(Woolfolk 2014).

PERSONAL RESEARCH
Sometimes it is necessary to ask if intrinsic or
extrinsic motivation in students are more successful.
At the beginning of the school year I made a
prediction that intrinsically motivated students will
have more success. That they can find self
actualization because the drive comes from within to
succeed, therefore they are fulfilling their own
potential. I also predicted that, motivation styles are
present in first grade students. Lastly, females will
typically intrinsically motivated; and males will
typically extrinsically motivated.

PERSONAL RESEARCH CONTINUED

I prepared a list of questions for first grade students that
would give me some insight on their motivation styles.
Questions included:

What they liked most about school?

What the liked most about their teacher?

These questions were used to determine what was
most important to students regarding school time
(social interactions, learning, the reward programs
that are implemented, etc.)

What they want to be when they grow up?

What their parents do for work?

These questions were used to determine how much
influence their have with their future.

ANALYSIS OF DATA
Trends In Gender
Intrinsically Motivated Females
Extrinsically Motivated Males

24%

33%

Intrinsically Motivated Males

Extrinsically Motivated Females

29%

14%

ANALYSIS OF DATA
Students Improvement over the Year
Intrinsic Success

Extrinsic Success

47%

53%

ANALYSIS OF DATA
By the end of the year; I had collected
all notes, observations, questionnaires,
and what grade information I could
obtain to draw a conclusion. The
female students from the class were
more intrinsically inclined than male
students. Intrinsically motivated
students showed the most
improvement over the year (testing,
reading levels, sentence structure,
hand writing, etc.) Students as young
as six show how they are personally
motivated although for future research
I would like to see if that is fluid
throughout the school years.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TEACHERS

Remember that intrinsic motivation is long -lasting. Students with

intrinsic motivation tend to be self -sustaining individuals. Focus on the
process of learning with these students rather than the outcome or
reward. A disadvantage with intrinsic motivation is that if a student
has no interest in learning a new subject, the student wont work as
hard to retain the information (Delong; Winter 2002).
When dealing with extrinsically motivated students a teacher my not
need to do extensive research behind the students motivation, it will
be more apparent since it is an external source. The way the school
system and grading is a form of reward and punishment. Remember,
these students will be more focused at the task at hand; care more
about what others think . Reinforcement is key with extrinsically
motivated students (Delong; Winter 2002).
It is imperative that teachers are aware of students learning styles
and needs, pay attention to what truly motivates each student, and
show genuine interest in each subject that is taught, and provide an
environment where there is healthy competition.

REFERENCES
Dewani, Vijay. Motivation Slide Share Retrieved 14 July
2014.
DeLong, Matt and Winter, Dale. Learning to Teaching and
Teaching to Learn Mathematics: Resources for Professional
Development, Mathematical Association of America, 2002,
page 163
Ryan, Richard; Edward L. Deci (2000). "Intrinsic and Extrinsic
Motivations: Classic Definitions and New Directions".
Contemporar y Educational Psychology 25 (1): 5467.
Woolfolk, A . (2014). Educational Psychology: Active Learning
Edition. : Pearson.