On Intrinsic Motivation (PDF)

Master's Thesis from the year 2013 in the subject Pedagogy - Higher Education, Concordia University Portland, course: Curriculum and instruction, language: English, abstract: The following is a literature review at Concordia University-Portland and a research project on levels of intrinsic motivation in relation to high school student's grades. The research question is, "What role does intrinsic motivation play on the academic achievement of the learner?" A definition is given, and independent variables affecting the dependent variable of intrinsic motivation are discussed. Also discussed is learning and learners with disabilities and their relationships to intrinsic motivation. There is discussion of 3 self-report surveys of levels of intrinsic motivation given at a private, parochial, and Sunday School learners, observations, and comparison of available grades to ascertain if intrinsically motivated students do indeed earn better grades.

The issue of the learner desiring on his own to succeed academically is especially important when considering that learning ideally will be a lifelong event. Learning for its own enjoyment can benefit the learner, the community, and society. It is the responsibility of the learner, educator, parents, and administration to educe, or draw out, the learning capabilities and possibilities in the home, community, and school. Establishment of a baseline of perceived intrinsic motivation as it relates to academic achievement can be used by the schools surveyed to become aware of positive and negative factors to be found in order to make corrections. Intrinsic motivation is the energy that keeps learners excited about completing academic assignments for the enjoyment of doing so.

By encouraging intrinsic motivation, the educator can help the learner to achieve academic success. There is little interest in academic achievement or school when the learner is not interested in a topic, or the domain of the academic performance, or subject of study. Interest is closely related to intrinsic motivation because the orientation of the person towards an object-action (or need) increases and directs the person to the action and need.