
While extrinsic motivation refers to external stimuli and incentives that influence decisions, intrinsic motivation is defined by internal factors that influence an individual, such as an individual’s personal goals or values. There are two types of motivation in the workplace, extrinsic and intrinsic. For example, if an individual makes a decision and is rewarded for their choice, then they are more likely to make that same choice in the future. In other words, the type and severity of the consequence (positive or negative) influences individuals to make or avoid making the same choice in the future that resulted in the corresponding consequence. Through this process, the consequence of a choice influences the probability of the same choice occurring again.

It is a psychological phenomenon that is often referred to as the reward system.Įxtrinsic motivation is a manifestation of operant conditioning, also called instrumental conditioning, which refers to a process by which individuals learn from consequences.

Extrinsic motivation refers to behaviors exhibited by an individual driven by external stimuli and incentives.
