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- Vol 4 RE: Chapters 5, 6, 12, 13, 16, 18, 21, 22, 26, App A, App C
- Vol 7 RE: Chapters 5, 7, App B, App D
intrinsic motivationextrinsic motivationself-determination theorymotivation internalizationautonomy supportneed satisfactioncontrolling rewardslearner agencyJournal article Evidence summaryAt a glance
Ryan and Deci clarify intrinsic and extrinsic motivation through self-determination theory. Intrinsic motivation concerns doing an activity for its inherent interest or enjoyment.
Key ideas
Extrinsic motivation concerns instrumental reasons, but it is not uniformly controlling: regulation ranges from external pressure and internal compulsion through personally endorsed identification and integration. The quality of motivation therefore matters alongside its quantity. Environments that support the basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness foster intrinsic motivation, internalisation, persistence, learning, performance, and well-being; controlling rewards, threats, meaningless demands, or thwarted needs can produce more fragile engagement. Rewards do not have a single inevitable effect—their informational or controlling meaning, contingency, and context matter. The review connects definitions, theory, empirical findings, educational practice, cultural considerations, and research directions.
Why it matters
For educators, useful design combines optimal challenge, clear structure and feedback, meaningful rationales, acknowledgement of feelings, opportunities for agency, and caring relationships. Not every school activity will become intrinsically enjoyable, but learners can still understand its value and engage with a greater sense of ownership.
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Edition abbreviations
- TE
- Teacher Edition
- PE
- Practice Edition
- RE
- Research Edition
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