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Motivating yourself/extrinsic values

Genius is nothing but a 
great aptitude for patience

George-Louis Buffon
1707-88

 

Study Guides index in English as home site

search form for web site 

 
date

Write three reasons someone else wants you to learn this

1

2

3

Do not post this on your wallboard but place it aside for later;
or place it as the last page in your notebook diary

Extrinsic motivation comes from outside yourself and is not as effective as intrinsic motivation.  It includes the goals, values, and interests of others as they affect you.  You learn in order to avoid punishment, or to get a reward, or to please someone.  Examples:

I learn dates to pass a history test.
I learn this computer program as a job requirement.
I learn how to kick to please my coach.

Extrinsic motivation is not bad, it just isn't as effective as intrinsic motivation. 
Keep intrinsic reasons first whenever possible.

Go to "Project description"

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The Study Guides and Strategies web site was created and is maintained by Joe Landsberger,
academic web site developer at the University of St. Thomas (UST), St. Paul, Minnesota.  It is collaboratively maintained across institutional and national boundaries, and  last revised September 04, 2002 . 

Permission is granted to freely copy, adapt, print, transmit, and distribute
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