Types of Motivation (Intrinsic/Extrinsic, Positive/Negative, Primary/Secondary)

Classifying the Drivers of Action

When discussing motivation, it is useful to recognize that it is not a single, homogeneous concept.

There are different types of motivation that drive our actions, and understanding these distinctions is valuable for both self-knowledge and the coaching process.

We can classify motivation according to various criteria, such as its origin (internal or external), its focus (desired or undesired) and its nature (biological or learned).

Analyzing these classifications allows us to better understand what really drives us.

Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation

One main classification distinguishes between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, according to the source of the drive.

Intrinsic Motivation: In this case, it is the coachee's own goals that drive him/her to perform the actions necessary to achieve them.

Satisfaction comes from the accomplishment of the task itself, from genuine interest, from learning or from the sense of personal achievement it provides. The driver is within the person and the activity.

Extrinsic Motivation: Here, motivation comes from factors external to the task or the objective itself.

It is acted upon by rewards (recognition, money, approval) or punishments (avoiding a reprimand, a loss) that are obtained as a consequence of meeting (or not meeting) the objectives.

The goals themselves are not the primary source of motivation; the associated external rewards or consequences are.

Positive vs. Negative Motivation

Another way to classify motivation is based on the desire approach:

• Positive Motivation: encompasses all the reasons why the coachee desires to achieve a goal. It focuses on the benefits, satisfactions and positive results expected from achieving the goal. It is an "approach" motivation towards something desired.
• Negative Motivation: This encompasses the reasons why the coachee does not want to achieve a goal or, more commonly, the reasons why wants to avoid an undesired situation or consequence. It is focused on avoiding failure, pain, criticism, or any negative outcome; it is a motivation to "walk away" from something undesirable.

Primary vs. Secondary Motives

Finally, we can differentiate motives according to their nature:

• Primary Motives: these are biological and innate, directly related to the survival of the organism. They include basic needs such as hunger, thirst, sleep and sex, among others. They are fundamental impulses shared by the species.
• Secondary Motives: These are social or learned and are not innate, but develop through social interaction and experience.

The three main secondary motives are:

• Achievement Motive: This is the tendency to seek success in challenging situations that pose a challenge, involving demonstrating ability and competence.
• Power Motive: The need to have influence over other people and the possibility of exercising control over them.
• Affiliation Motive: It is the tendency to associate with others, seek social contact and form stable groups.

Reflecting on what kind of motives (primary or secondary) drive our goals can give us valuable clues about our underlying priorities and needs.

Summary

Intrinsic motivation comes from the goals themselves and the satisfaction of the task itself, being the internal driver of the person. Extrinsic motivation comes from external factors such as rewards (money, recognition) or punishments.

Positive motivation focuses on the benefits and results desired (approach). Negative motivation focuses on reasons to avoid an undesired situation or consequence (distancing).

Primary motives are biological and innate (survival), such as hunger or thirst. Secondary motives are social or learned, and include achievement (seeking success), power (influence), and affiliation (social contact).