Intrinsic and extrinsic motivations: Classic definitions and new directions

Intrinsic and extrinsic types of motivation have been widely studied, and t he distinction between them has shed important light on both developmental and educational practices. in this review we revisit the classic definition s of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in light of contemporary research a nd theory. Intrinsic motivation remains an important construct, reflecting the natural human propensity to learn and assimilate. However, extrinsic mo tivation is argued to vary considerably in its relative autonomy and thus c an either reflect external control or true self-regulation. The relations o f both classes of motives to basic human needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness are discussed. (C) 2000 Academic Press.