Internal motivation in psychological science

Internal motivation-free participation in activities in the absence of external requirements or reinforcements (Deci, 1980). Motivation is not based on drives (OM -???), but it is assumed that its energy is internal to the nature of the organism. An individual tries out new activities, solves research problems, or seeks to master their environment simply for the sake of the experience they receive. The discovery process itself is a reward. "Intrinsic motivation concerns the active, exploratory, task-seeking nature of individuals, which plays a crucial role in the acquisition and development of structures and functions” (Ryan, 1993, p.21).

The distinction between internal and external motivation occurs according to the criterion of reward for the activity performed. With external motivation, the reward itself will be external to the person. When the motivation is internal, the reward for it will be activity in itself. Deci (1980) believes that internally motivated behavior is based on the need for a person to be competent and self-determined when interacting with the environment. It is a need that is based on the properties of the Central nervous system, exists constantly and motivates current behavior and thoughts as long as it is not interrupted by basic drives or emotional responses. This need leads people to search for and solve problems that are optimal for their level of abilities: “We believe that there is an innate and vital movement towards assimilation and synthesis, typical of which is spontaneous, internally motivated activity” (Ryan, 1993, p. 25) - this is the author's position. The growth of internal motivation that ensures optimal development of the individual depends on social conditions that support and protect human autonomy or, on the contrary, destroy it. Thus, internal motivation and its accompanying manifestations can be undermined in the condition of excessive control or instability (instability), which leads to inadequate development and psychopathology.

Also

The concept of intrinsic motivation was introduced to explain behaviors that cannot be explained based on incentives and reinforcers.

Throughout the history of psychology, motivation theories have tried to explain why people behave in one way or another. Until recently, there were only two main theories of the system for studying motivation.

• The theory developed by Sigmund Freud as part of his psychoanalytic psychology was based primarily on his systematic study of neurotic patients: all motivation can be reduced to a small number of biological drives or instincts: sex and aggression.
• K. L. Hull's theory of drive, which he developed as part of his theory of learning, was based mainly on experimental studies of the behavior of rats when passing through mazes. All motivation can be reduced to a small number of biological drives or instincts - craving, sex, and avoiding pain.

Although many behaviors, such as eating, are directly related to drives, living organisms also have a wide variety of types and behaviors that are not directly aimed at satisfying drives.

In psychoanalytic theory, the concept of sublimation refers to the possibility of converting sexual energy into energy directed to achieve "higher" goals. This transformation occurs as a result of internal conflicts between the primary drive and the individual perception of the requirements of the environment.

The theory of drive suggests the existence of secondary drives — any apparent need for reinforcements that do not serve to satisfy the primary (main) drives. These obvious needs for secondary reinforcers are generated by the process of mating the initial neutral stimulus (for example, finding a way out of the maze) with the primary reinforcer (for example, food). Thus, according to this theory, the solution of problem problems becomes reinforcing, and in people the urge to solve them arises, most likely, not because the solution of the problem is inherently able to satisfy, but because it was previously associated with the primary reinforcer.

Over time, the inadequacy of both these concepts for the study of motivation became increasingly apparent. Hartmann pointed out that young children exhibit a wide variety of behaviors that do not seem to be related to any conflict (i.e., are not the result of sublimation), and Berline noted that various types of activity, such as research, appear at such an early age and are carried out with such zeal that they cannot be explained by secondary reinforcement. In response to these contradictions, Robert white suggested the existence of an innate internal motivation, without which it is impossible for an individual to interact effectively with the environment.

The most commonly used definition of internally motivated behavior defines it as behavior that occurs in the absence of any explicit external reward. Desi identified intrinsic motivation through innate needs to be competent and self-determine behavior in relation to his environment. These needs underlie a wide variety of behaviors, including research, play, and learning, and motivate people to continually search for and solve tasks that best or best match each person's abilities and capabilities. Unlike drive theories, which suggest that people prefer rest and minimal stimulation, intrinsic motivation theory States that along with rest, they crave optimal stimulation.

Desi and Ryan combined data from various experiments and tried to reconcile them within a single theoretical concept. They suggested that any event in the environment has two functional aspects:

• Controlling (cause a certain outcome of behavior)
• Informational (to inform people about such things as their effectiveness in any activity)

If the controlling aspect is so pronounced that it begins to push people to specific outcomes, internal motivation will be undermined, but if it involves the opposite of control, namely choice, internal motivation will be strengthened. This means that the impact of external events depends on how they are perceived and interpreted by the recipient.