external motivation

USAGE SUMMARY

'external motivation' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to motivation that comes from external sources, such as incentives, rewards, and other factors outside of oneself. For example, "Managers increasingly rely on external motivation to increase productivity from their employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"There's no external motivation," said Jonathan Vaughters, the team director of Slipstream.

The New York Times - Sports

I don't go there, because I think things like that at times are more external motivation".

The New York Times - Sports

The causal relationship between diets and weight gain can also be tested by studying people with an external motivation to lose weight.

The New York Times

Nor did they suffer from a lack of external motivation (the "landlord" theory, according to which writing stops the moment the rent is paid).

The New Yorker

Finally, the fourth, angry and disappointed group tended to look for external motivation; they were driven by the need for attention and extrinsic reward.

The New Yorker

So the Giants are left, as practice begins Friday, to conjure external motivation from shards of perceived disrespect and slights of management.

The New York Times - Sports

In that wonderful way that spouses know exactly what their partners require to succeed, she had intuited my need for external motivation to write a book.

Princeton University

What the research shows, instead, is that the great wellspring of creativity is intrinsic motivation — that is, I do my best work for personal rewards (out of love or intellectual fulfillment) and not external motivation (money).

The New Yorker

If you want to jump around a fairly uninspiring city blowing things up, occasionally hearing a couple lines of dialogue about how evil the bad guys are as your only external motivation, then it's perfect.

The Telegraph

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

More specifically, such management and leadership contribute to a shift from 'external motivation' towards 'internalised motivation' for the volunteers whose initial engagement was more driven by external motives.

BMJ Open

We started to use this system because our son has a problem with internal/external motivation and executive functions (planning, work prep, following long instructions) due to his ADHD.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "external motivation" when referring to factors like rewards, praise, or fear of punishment that drive behavior, rather than inherent interest or enjoyment.

Common error

Avoid attributing actions solely to "external motivation" when internal factors may also play a significant role. Recognize that individuals are often motivated by a combination of both.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "external motivation" functions as a noun phrase often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the source of motivation, as supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms its correct usage. For example, Ludwig shows its uses such as "the lack of external motivation" or "driven by external motivation".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Academia

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "external motivation" is a commonly used noun phrase that describes motivation stemming from outside factors, such as rewards or punishments. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted in various contexts. This phrase is particularly frequent in scientific and news media, with its usage ranging from neutral to formal. Alternatives include "extrinsic motivation" and "external incentive". When using this phrase, it's important to differentiate it from internal motivation and avoid oversimplifying the reasons behind individual actions. Recognizing the role of "external motivation" aids in a deeper understanding of human behavior across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extrinsic motivation

This term is often used interchangeably with "external motivation" and represents a high similarity.

external incentive

Focuses specifically on incentives as the source of motivation rather than a general concept.

outside influence

Shifts the emphasis from motivation to the influence that drives it.

environmental inducement

Highlights the environmental factors that encourage certain behaviors.

reward-driven behavior

Specifies the behavioral outcome resulting from an external reward.

pressure to perform

Emphasizes the element of compulsion or expectation in motivation.

social expectation

Highlights societal norms and expectations as motivators.

external stimulus

Focuses on motivation as response to a trigger, external factor, not the motivational drive itself.

peer pressure

Specifies social dynamics as a source of motivation.

carrot and stick approach

Uses the imagery of offering a reward or punishment in order to incentivize action.

FAQs

What are examples of "external motivation"?

Examples of "external motivation" include receiving a bonus at work, getting praise from a teacher, or avoiding a penalty for not meeting a deadline.

How does "external motivation" differ from internal motivation?

"External motivation" comes from outside sources like rewards or punishments, while internal motivation arises from personal enjoyment or satisfaction.

Is "extrinsic motivation" the same as "external motivation"?

Yes, the terms "extrinsic motivation" and "external motivation" are often used interchangeably to describe motivation derived from external factors.

When is it more effective to use "external motivation"?

"External motivation" can be effective for short-term goals or tasks that individuals find uninteresting. However, internal motivation is often more sustainable for long-term achievement.