3 intrinsic motivation types & how they help you do better in school 🧭

Ever wonder why sometimes you really want to learn something, and other times, you just don’t care?

Think about the time you stayed up late watching videos about something you cared about, like space, makeup, or soccer, just because it fascinated you.

Discover what makes motivation come from inside you and how intrinsic motivation can help you succeed in school!

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Intrinsic motivation refers to doing something simply because you enjoy it or find it interesting, without relying on external factors such as someone telling you to do it or offering a reward.

Think about a time you:

• Drew, just because you love art

• Solved a puzzle for fun

• Practiced a skill like skateboarding or coding because you wanted to get better

These are examples of intrinsic motivation, where the reward is the activity itself.

Now compare that to extrinsic motivation, where you do something to earn a reward or avoid punishment:

• Studying to get a good grade

• Cleaning your room so you don’t get in trouble

• Joining a club to boost your college application

Both motivation types are common but intrinsic motivation usually leads to deeper learning and long-lasting effort.

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When you're intrinsically motivated, the activity itself feels rewarding because it's interesting or enjoyable.

Intrinsic motivation is doing something because you enjoy it or find it meaningful. Extrinsic motivation, on the other hand, is doing it for rewards like grades or praise. When you're motivated from within, you're more likely to stay curious, work hard, and understand things better.

Let’s say you love baking. No one tells you to do it, you just enjoy it. You try new recipes, watch videos, and learn from mistakes. That’s intrinsic motivation at work!

There are many intrinsic motivation types, but here are three that really matter when it comes to learning:

1. Autonomy — You feel more motivated when you have some control over what and how you learn.

2. Mastery — You want to get better at something just because it matters to you.

3. Purpose — You feel driven when what you're doing connects to a bigger goal or personal value.

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Autonomy means having control over your learning. When you're allowed to make choices like picking a topic that excites you, you’re more engaged and motivated.

Example: Choosing a science fair topic like sharks or volcanoes makes you naturally curious and focused because you picked it.

Mastery is all about getting better at something just because it matters to you. When you're intrinsically motivated by mastery, you're not just trying to pass a test — you want to truly understand.

Example: Instead of memorizing facts about photosynthesis, you might explore how it works because you love plants and want to understand them better. It also helps with persistence, like pushing through tough math problems because you want to become an engineer one day.

Purpose is when your learning connects to a bigger goal or personal value. When you feel your work means something, it keeps you motivated.

Example: Writing a short story or building a model becomes more fun and creative when it reflects who you are or what you care about.

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Learn deeper by doing what you love!