Intrinsic Motivation, Psychology of

When intrinsically motivated people engage in activities, it is because they find them interesting and satisfying and not because the activities lead to separable rewards or consequences. Emergence of the concept of intrinsic motivation within the psychology of motivation is discussed, various definitions are considered, and recent research on the concept is reviewed. Because intrinsic motivation relates positively to persistence, creativity, cognitive flexibility, and conceptual understanding, a substantial body of research has examined factors in the social environment that tend to enhance versus undermine this important type of motivation. Beginning with the frequently replicated finding that extrinsic rewards tend to undermine intrinsic motivation, the research has now examined the effects of numerous environmental factors such as positive and negative feedback, threats, deadlines, competition, and interpersonal climates. The findings have been well integrated in terms of how they support versus thwart the underlying needs for competence and self-determination. A differentiated view of extrinsic motivation, based in the concept of internalization is also provided.