external incentives

USAGE SUMMARY

"external incentives" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to any sort of motivator or reward that is not necessarily intrinsic to a situation. For example, "The company is offering external incentives in order to encourage employees to be more productive."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Intrinsic motivation will be far more enduring than external incentives".

The New York Times

External incentives might not drive the initial behaviour but can follow thereafter.

The Guardian

More broadly, creation space designers must be careful to create the right blend of external incentives and intrinsic motivations.

Harvard Business Review

Rather than solely seeking to inhabit the sick role (an internal incentive), malingerers are driven by external incentives: money, drugs, evading criminal responsibility or work.

The Guardian

Furthermore, goals tend to be tied to external incentives, but these have been shown to reduce motivation and performance when employees are intrinsically motivated to accomplish the task.

Harvard Business Review

And like hierarchies, members share a common purpose, but that purpose emanates from self-motivation rather than from the external incentives or sanctions that hierarchies generally impose.

Harvard Business Review

In table 4, the authors report the relative contribution of external incentives and intrinsic motivation on performance for different types of tasks.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Moreover, external incentives, such as compliance, can displace existing internal motivations and social norms — yielding a reduction in the desired behavior.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

We argue that some people act in an environmentally-friendly manner without external incentives to do so, but rather because they are intrinsically motivated to do so.

Global Environmental Change

Reward mechanisms in the form of external incentives are also believed to enhance motivation and promote learning, but possibly at the expense of excessive learner reliance.

Computers & Education

Research has shown that introducing external incentives to encourage pro-social behavior, such as monetary rewards or regulation, may crowd out voluntary pro-social activity.

Ecological Economics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing motivation, clearly differentiate between "external incentives" and intrinsic motivation to provide a comprehensive analysis.

Common error

Avoid solely depending on "external incentives" without considering the potential for decreased intrinsic motivation. A balanced approach yields better long-term results.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "external incentives" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It refers to factors that motivate individuals or groups from an external source. Ludwig confirms this through its numerous examples where the phrase acts as the subject or object of a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "external incentives" refers to motivators or rewards that originate from outside an individual, driving behavior and actions. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and very commonly used. The phrase finds application across various domains, including science, news, and business. While intrinsic motivation focuses on internal satisfaction, "external incentives" leverage external factors to achieve desired outcomes. When using this phrase, it's important to understand its implications for intrinsic motivation and strike a balance for optimal effectiveness. Related terms such as "extrinsic motivators" or "external rewards" can provide alternate ways to express this concept, enriching your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

external motivators

A direct synonym, 'motivators' clearly indicates elements causing motivation from outside the individual.

extrinsic motivators

This term focuses on the motivational aspect, highlighting that the incentives are not intrinsic but come from outside.

external rewards

This emphasizes the reward aspect of incentives, clarifying that the rewards originate externally.

outside inducements

This uses a more formal term, 'inducements', to suggest external factors that persuade or encourage action.

financial encouragements

This highlights the financial aspect of external motivators, focusing on how financial means motivate behavior.

regulatory incentives

This refers to incentives created through regulations to encourage compliance or specific actions.

economic incentives

This emphasizes the economic benefits or consequences that drive behavior.

policy instruments

This is frequently used in the discussion of governmental or organizational interventions to promote a specific behavior.

market-based incentives

This refers to incentives created by market dynamics, often to promote efficiency or innovation.

outward stimuli

This refers to external factors that provoke a response or action.

FAQs

How do you use "external incentives" in a sentence?

"External incentives", such as bonuses and promotions, can motivate employees to achieve higher performance levels.

What's the difference between "external incentives" and intrinsic motivation?

"External incentives" are rewards or motivators coming from outside, while intrinsic motivation comes from internal satisfaction and enjoyment of the task itself.

What are some examples of "external incentives"?

Examples of "external incentives" include salary increases, bonuses, public recognition, and promotions.

What can I say instead of "external incentives"?

You can use alternatives like "extrinsic motivators", "external rewards", or "outside inducements" depending on the context.