Intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation: An approach/avoidance reformulation

The main purpose of this article is to advance an alternative perspective o n the relationship between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, and in parti cular to examine critically the assertion that these processes are antagoni stic such that the will to learn for its own sake is inhibited by the prese nce of extrinsic, tangible rewards and incentives such as school grades. Th e presumption of an antagonistic relationship largely depends on the theore tical perspective adopted. An alternative interpretation based on need achi evement theory leads to distinctly different conclusions. Exploring this ne w perspective allows one to identify both the conditions under which intrin sic motives may coexist with extrinsic motives as well as to consider some of the means by which intrinsic motives and caring about learning can be st imulated in their own right in school settings.