Intrinsic motivation derives from the efforts of the individual to meet basic needs. (a) Describe three goals that comprise intrinsic motivation. (b) Discuss reasons why a teacher might say that a learner has NO intrinsic motivation

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answer:
(a) The three types/sources of intrinsic motivation are
• competence, or the drive to achieve and to become skillful
• self-determination, or the drive to be in control of oneself and to make one's own choices
• relatedness, or the drive to associate with others and to belong to a supportive group.

(b) The competence motivation is the one most valued by educators. Unfortunately it is the one that is most undermined by having a mild disability and by the failure that such learners regularly encounter. Being perceived as competent is not seen by the learner as a realistic goal.

The drives for self-determination and relatedness tend to be stronger. However, the school day for learners with mild disabilities is generally very structured with few opportunities to make choices about what they do and how they do it. Likewise, socializing is discouraged in favor of getting work done. Teachers often fail to see that the motivation offered by the opportunity to make choices and to work with others could be put to better use in support of academic learning.