Which are examples of external motivation?

Question

Select all that apply.

Responses

A man surviving on a boat lost at sea and needs to signal another boat for help.
A man surviving on a boat lost at sea and needs to signal another boat for help.

A girl auditions for a musical against other girls who are better singers.
A girl auditions for a musical against other girls who are better singers.

A family, trapped in the mountains by a blizzard, must find a way home.
A family, trapped in the mountains by a blizzard, must find a way home.

A boy has to pick between studying and practicing to be the be the best artist in class.

Answer 1

Examples of external motivation are typically driven by outside factors, such as rewards, recognition, or pressures from others. Based on the provided scenarios, the following examples can be considered external motivation:

1. A girl auditions for a musical against other girls who are better singers. (This shows external motivation as she is motivated to compete against others and seek recognition or a role.)

2. A family, trapped in the mountains by a blizzard, must find a way home. (This situation creates external pressure to survive and find safety, motivating the family to act.)

The other two scenarios (the man signaling for help and the boy choosing between studying and practicing) may involve intrinsic factors as well—but their primary motivations are external because they are responding to critical situations or comparisons with others.

So, in summary, the following responses can be selected as examples of external motivation:

• A girl auditions for a musical against other girls who are better singers.
• A family, trapped in the mountains by a blizzard, must find a way home.