Extrinsic: tangible vs intangible
Extrinsic motivation is the drive to take part that comes from an outside factor, not the performer's own enjoyment. Its rewards are of two kinds. Tangible rewards can be touched -- a medal, trophy, prize money. Intangible rewards cannot -- praise, applause, recognition. Both are extrinsic, coming from outside the performer. The test is not the object, but whether the drive starts inside (intrinsic) or outside (extrinsic).
Motivation and intrinsic motivation
Motivation is the internal drive and desire that determines whether a performer takes part and how hard they work. It splits by WHERE the drive comes from. Intrinsic motivation comes from within the performer, with no outside reward: enjoyment, satisfaction, pride, or a sense of achievement. Because it comes from inside, it does not vanish when no one is watching or no prize is offered. It is closely linked to long-term commitment.
The effect of each type of motivation
Higher-tariff questions reward the EFFECT, not the definition. Intrinsic motivation tends to give longer-lasting commitment: the drive is their own enjoyment, so effort continues with no reward. Extrinsic motivation gives a short-term boost -- a trophy sharpens focus. But over-reliance has two effects: effort may fall away once the reward stops, and rewarding an already-enjoyed activity can reduce intrinsic enjoyment. The best motivation combines both.
Drawn from real examiner reports.
Intrinsic ≠ extrinsic
The topic's key definition trap. Intrinsic motivation comes from within -- own enjoyment, satisfaction or pride. Extrinsic motivation comes from an outside reward -- a medal, money, or praise. Candidates treat praise as intrinsic, but it comes from a coach or crowd, so it is extrinsic. Judge by the source, not the feeling.
Motivation ≠ feedback
Motivation and feedback get muddled. Motivation is the drive or desire to take part and try hard. Feedback is information about a performance, used to correct or reinforce it. A trophy is a motivator; "your follow-through was too short" is feedback. Decide which the question wants before answering, or you describe the wrong concept.
Flagged s22 P12 Q10b; w23 P11 Q7b; w23 P12 Q6c(ii)
Naming without the effect
Extrinsic examples are secure -- candidates confidently write "a trophy is an extrinsic reward" -- then stop, without explaining the EFFECT on effort, commitment or enjoyment. Naming is only AO1; the AO2 marks come from explaining what the reward DOES to training or performance. Push past the label: state the type, then how it changes effort, and why.
Flagged s22 P12 Q10b; w23 P11 Q7b; w23 P12 Q6c(ii)
Extrinsic reward isn't always good
Candidates often present extrinsic rewards as purely positive, but the syllabus expects the downside. Over-reliance can make effort drop away once the reward stops, as the reward was driving them, not enjoyment. Rewarding an already-enjoyed activity can also reduce intrinsic motivation. An answer giving only the boost is one-sided and capped.
The two types aren't either/or
Students sometimes treat intrinsic and extrinsic motivation as mutually exclusive -- as if a performer has only one. In practice they combine: a beginner drawn in by extrinsic rewards (a medal, praise) can also develop genuine intrinsic enjoyment, and sustainable motivation uses both. A "discuss" answer arguing only one type matters misses the balanced judgement.
Not all extrinsic rewards are the same
Students lump every extrinsic reward together, missing that they split in two. Tangible rewards can be touched -- a medal, trophy, prize money. Intangible rewards cannot -- praise, applause, recognition. Both are extrinsic, coming from outside the performer -- the split sits WITHIN extrinsic motivation, not the same as intrinsic vs extrinsic.
Name, example, effect, apply
Motivation questions reward a chain: name the type, give a precise example, explain the EFFECT on effort or enjoyment, and apply it to a named activity. Don't just write "praise is extrinsic": add that it lifts effort short-term but fades once it stops.
Apply to a named activity
Writing generically, with no named sport, is the most repeated Paper 1 criticism. Anchor the answer to a named activity -- e.g. a swimmer who trains alone for the enjoyment shows intrinsic motivation. An unnamed activity forfeits the AO2 marks.
Discuss: cover both types
For a "discuss" or "evaluate" of the two types, give a judgement covering both. Weigh intrinsic (sustains effort) and extrinsic (boosts beginners) against the risk that extrinsic can undermine enjoyment, then conclude. A one-sided answer is capped mid-band.
Motivation is the internal drive, desire and interest that determines whether a performer takes part in a physical activity, and how hard they work at it. It is often split into intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, by WHERE the drive comes from.
Don't confuse motivation with feedback. Motivation is the DRIVE to take part; feedback is INFORMATION about how well a performance went, used to correct or reinforce it.
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