Motivation Series - Self Determination Theory
Simply put, motivation is about energy. How much we have, where we direct it (and maybe re-direct it), and whether we give up or not.
We care about motivation because it creates action. It’s what mobilises us to climb.
There are multiple theories of motivation and they are theories, not fact, but there is research and evidence to support them. Each of these four theories build on each other.
Self-Determination Theory (Deci and Ryan)
Attributional Model of Achievement Motivation (Weiner)
Achievement Goal Theory (Nicholls)
Mindset Theory (Dweck)
Self Determination Theory (Ryan and Deci)
What is intrinsic and extrinsic motivation?
Intrinsic motivation is doing an activity for its inherent satisfaction rather than for any consequence of that activity (such as a reward). When intrinsically motivated, a person is moved to act for the fun or challenge of that activity in and of itself.
Extrinsic motivation is a range of motivations but they all involve something that is outside of the activity itself, something more than just the pure joy of doing that activity.
It’s important to understand that intrinsic and extrinsic is about the activity. It does not mean the same thing as internal and external, which is about you and to what extent you identify with the reason.
External and internal motivations
Whether a motivation is external or internal comes down to how important the activity is to you. Are you doing it because someone has told you it’s important (external) or because you yourself recognise its importance (internal)?
The theory goes that the more internalised something is, the stronger the motivation. The important thing to take away is that you can have an extrinsic motivation that is internalised and therefore highly motivating.
What do you think of these examples?
I want to climb this route because my friends told me I should (extrinsic and external)
This route looks interesting and I haven’t ticked it on UKC yet (bit of both extrinsic and intrinsic, somewhat external and internal)
I want to climb something where I can learn something new and gain a sense of achievement from sending it (extrinsic and internal)
I just love climbing and want to climb everything (intrinsic and internal)
I love climbing for the sense of community and belonging (extrinsic and internal)
Intrinsic motivation is not the whole picture. Most people are not wholly intrinsically motivated all the time and have a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations that vary as to how internalised they are.
What can move people up the continuum? So their motivations are more internalised and they are more motivated?
Key take aways
It’s not as simple as intrinsic motivation good and extrinsic motivation bad. In life we have to do things we may not experience 100% joy at doing.
But the more we can internalise our motivations for doing something, the more motivated we are going to be.
We can internalise motivation by increasing competence, autonomy and relatedness.
