Research Paper on Two Types of Student Motivation

What has made it so difficult for incoming freshman students to adjust to the workload of college, leading them to become burnt out faster than some of their peers? There are two main types of motivation, those two types being Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. The two articles "Intrinsic Motivation and Doing Something For Its Own Sake" by Charles Bazerman and  "Student Success Linked to Motivation" by The Daily Free Press highlight the differences between the two types of student motivation. While "Intrinsic Motivation and Doing Something For Its Own Sake" does a better job at portraying the importance of self-motivation than "Student Success Linked to Motivation" by The Daily Free Press because it has a more informative and positive approach to the topic of students success. 

Extrinsic motivation can be described as only being motivated and doing things for an external benefit. These motivators could include pleasing teachers, parents, or if there is a reward for completing a task. Extrinsic motivation is a short term reward you receive when completing a goal and usually does not benefit students. Intrinsic motivation is driven by oneself to fulfil a goal. Students motivated by intrinsic means are more likely to succeed in college because they are completing their goals for themselves or to be proud of the results of their hard efforts. In Charles Bazermans, “Intrinsic Motivation and Doing Something For Its Own Sake", He goes over the negatives of extrinsic motivation, and how having short term goals with a reward can be potentially harmful to students rather than beneficial long term. He makes the point “ internal motivation can increase satisfaction, cooperation, and output permanently.”(Bazerman 173), explaining why students who complete tasks while being motivated internally can have a long term positive effect on the student in college. Alternatively students externally motivated are less likely to take risks and would rather do the bare minimum to get the result they want with extrinsic motivation. Bazerman goes on to explain the meaning of intrinsic motivation as “the personal satisfaction that comes from the activity itself, as well as from the satisfaction of doing it well” (Bazerman 173), this method of motivation benefits college students because they are less likely to do it for an external reward or for someone's praise but instead for themselves making the rewards in the long term even more beneficial.

"Student Success Linked to Motivation, Study Suggests" by The Daily Free Press explains the two types of motivation more and the effects of socioeconomic status, that may cause students to be motivated by intrinsic or extrinsic motivation.The Daily Free Press states “While many factors contribute to a student's capacity for accomplishment, naturally motivated students from higher economic backgrounds are more likely to succeed” (The Daily Press Admin). The Daily Free Press goes on to explain that people that came from lower socioeconomic backgrounds tend to be motivated extrinsically, and will simply go for the degrees that will secure them a job to have a better life, “if students disregard passion and instead strictly focus on financial goals, they are less likely to succeed, regardless of their demographic backgrounds.” (The Daily Free Press), explaining the dangers of extrinsic motivation and how Students that came from higher socioeconomic backgrounds tended to be motivated intrinsically, being able to choose something they were passionate about as their field of study in college.

Both articles agree that when people are extrinsically motivated they are less likely to take risks and only want to complete what needs to be done to achieve their goals, this is a short term reward and will be less beneficial in the long run. They also agree that it is better for  college students to make long term goals and be intrinsically motivated and to complete their goals for no one but themselves.  However “Student Success linked to motivation” does not explain why one type of motivation may be more beneficial than the other and simply gives facts on both types of motivation. The Daily Free press also brings up the topic of socioeconomics stating that on average less privileged college students are only going to pursue degrees that will make their life more comfortable in the long run making them more likely to be extrinsically motivated while and intrinsically motivated individual most likely came from a better socioeconomic background and can afford to pursue his or her passion.

“Intrinsic Motivation and Doing Something For Its Own Sake” explains in a clear and more positive approach that students would benefit more by being intrinsically motivated and that even though they are being driven by the motive of doing something for themselves, this will be more beneficial for them. The reward aspect of extrinsic motivation can lead to putting emphasis on short term rewards for accomplishments rather than long term growth. The two articles explain the differences of these types of motivation and how they can affect a student in college, but charles bazermans, “Intrinsic Motivation and Doing Something For Its Own Sake” is effective in its delivery to the reader why it is important for students to be intrinsically motivated rather than extrinsically.