What Motivates Us?

How Does Gamification Work? Extrinsic And Intrinsic Motivation

Since gamification implies the addition of game elements (such as points, levels, badges, and others) as incentives to use in a learning system, the key aspect of gamification is rewards aimed at providing extrinsic motivation to the user.

Wikipedia defines extrinsic motivation as the performance of an activity in order to attain a desired outcome; it comes from influences outside of the individual. Common extrinsic motivations are rewards (for example money or grades) for showing the desired behavior, and the threat of punishment following misbehavior. Competition is an extrinsic motivator because it encourages the performer to win and to beat others, not simply to enjoy the intrinsic rewards of the activity. A cheering crowd and the desire to win a trophy are also extrinsic incentives.

By opposition to extrinsic motivation, intrinsic motivation is the self-desire to seek out new things and new challenges, to analyze one's capacity, to observe, and to gain knowledge. It is driven by an interest and/or enjoyment in the task itself, and exists within the individual rather than relying on external pressures or a desire for reward. Students who are intrinsically motivated are more likely to engage in the task willingly, as well as work to improve their skills which will increase their capabilities. Students are likely to be intrinsically motivated if they attribute their educational results to factors under their own control, believe they have the skills to be effective agents in reaching their desired goals, and are interested in mastering a topic, not just in achieving good grades.

In summary, gamification is the introduction of an extrinsic reward system (based on game mechanics) to non-game content (such as learning content) in order to engage and motivate learners to participate and complete the activity. Its use is intended to compensate the lack of intrinsic motivation towards a learning activity.

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