Advantages and Disadvantages of Motivation

Motivation by threat is a dead-end strategy and thus basically makes the staff or students more attracted to the opportunity side of the motivation curve than the threat side (What is Motivation, n.d.). Motivation, as discussed before, is divided into two types, extrinsic and intrinsic factors. For review, extrinsic motivation is any motivation that lies outside of the individual or task (such as receiving a paycheck for working). Intrinsic motivation is any source of motivation that lies within the individual or task (such as the person finds enjoyment or pleasure from a task).

Advantages of extrinsic motivation: Extrinsic motivation more readily produces behavior changes and typically involve relatively little effort or preparation (Vanderbilt University: Center for Learning, 2011).

Disadvantages of extrinsic motivation: Extrinsic motivation can often distract students from learning the subject at hand and may be challenging to devise rewards and punishments. Over time, the rewards and punishments have to be escalated to achieve the same outcome (Vanderbilt University: Center for Learning, 2011).

Advantages of intrinsic motivation: Intrinsic motivation can be long-lasting and self sustaining which typically promote learning and focuses on the subject rather then rewards or punishments (Vanderbilt University: Center for Teaching, 2011).

Disadvantages of intrinsic motivation: Intrinsic motivation efforts can be slow to affect behavior and may require special attention or preparation (Vanderbilt University: Center for Teaching, 2011).

References

What is Motivation? (n.d.). What are the benefits of motivation? Retrieved from http://www.elmotivator.com/what-are-the-benefits-of-motivation.html

Vanderbilt University: Center for Teaching. (2011). Motivating students. Retrieved from http://cft.vanderbilt.edu/teaching-guides/interactions/motivating-students/