extrinsic motivation

noun

The motivation to participate in an activity based on attaining an external goal, such as garnering praise and approval, or receiving an award or payment, rather than engaging in an activity for its own sake.

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Meanings

nounextrinsic motivation (countable and uncountable, plural extrinsic motivations)

plural extrinsic motivations

  1. countableuncountablehuman sciencesThe motivation to participate in an activity based on attaining an external goal, such as garnering praise and approval, or receiving an award or payment, rather than engaging in an activity for its own sake.

Translations

German extrinsische Motivation
  • extrinsische MotivationTranslations
Cite this entry
APA

extrinsic motivation. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/extrinsic%20motivation

MLA

“extrinsic motivation.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/extrinsic%20motivation. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “extrinsic motivation,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/extrinsic%20motivation.

Source: extrinsic motivation on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.