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SingaporeSports ScienceSyllabus dot point

What drives an athlete to train and compete, and how can intrinsic and extrinsic motivation be used well?

Explain intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and describe how each can be used to improve sporting performance

A focused answer to the O-Level ESS outcome on motivation. Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, their effects on performance, and how a coach uses each without undermining the other.

Generated by Claude Opus 4.88 min answer

Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed

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  1. What this dot point is asking
  2. The answer
  3. Examples in context
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What this dot point is asking

SEAB wants you to explain intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and describe how each can be used to improve performance. The central idea is that motivation, the drive to start and keep up an activity, comes from two sources, and a coach must balance them so that athletes train hard without losing their love of the sport.

The answer

What motivation is

Motivation is the drive or desire that makes a performer start an activity and keep going, even when it is hard. A motivated athlete trains consistently, works through setbacks and competes with intensity. Motivation comes from two sources.

Intrinsic motivation

Intrinsic motivation comes from within the performer. It is the drive to take part for the enjoyment, satisfaction, pride and sense of achievement the activity itself gives. An athlete who trains because they love improving and enjoy the game is intrinsically motivated. This kind of motivation tends to be long-lasting, because it does not depend on outside rewards.

Extrinsic motivation

Extrinsic motivation comes from outside the performer. It is the drive to take part for an external reward, which may be:

  • tangible rewards such as medals, trophies, prize money or certificates;
  • intangible rewards such as praise, recognition or approval from others.

Extrinsic rewards can be a strong short-term incentive, especially for beginners or for tasks that are not yet enjoyable.

Balancing the two

The key coaching point is balance. Extrinsic rewards motivate quickly but, if overused, can undermine intrinsic motivation, so the athlete takes part only for the reward and loses interest when it stops. The best approach uses extrinsic rewards carefully while building intrinsic motivation through enjoyable sessions, personal goals and praise for effort and improvement.

Examples in context

Example 1. A teenager who loves football. They train in the rain and practise alone simply because they enjoy improving and playing, classic intrinsic motivation. This drive keeps them committed for years without needing external rewards, which is why coaches try to nurture it.

Example 2. A club offering a "player of the month" trophy. The trophy is an extrinsic reward that lifts effort and attendance in the short term. A wise coach pairs it with enjoyable training and personal goals, so the players' underlying love of the game (intrinsic motivation) is strengthened rather than replaced.

Try this

  • Cue. Define intrinsic and extrinsic motivation with one example of each. (Intrinsic: from within for enjoyment, such as playing for fun; extrinsic: from outside for a reward, such as winning a medal.)

  • Cue. State one benefit and one risk of using extrinsic rewards with beginners. (Benefit: a strong short-term incentive to take part; risk: over-reliance can undermine their intrinsic motivation.)

  • Cue. Suggest two ways a coach could build intrinsic motivation in a squad. (Make sessions enjoyable and varied; set personal achievable goals and praise effort and improvement.)

Exam-style practice questions

Practice questions written in the style of SEAB exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.

Original6 marksExplain the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, giving two examples of each in sport.
Show worked answer →

Intrinsic motivation comes from within the performer: the drive to take part for the enjoyment, satisfaction and sense of achievement the activity itself brings. Examples: the personal pride of mastering a new skill; the enjoyment of playing the game.

Extrinsic motivation comes from outside the performer: the drive to take part for an external reward. Examples: winning a medal or trophy; receiving prize money or praise from others.

What markers reward: a clear distinction (from within for the love of it versus from outside for a reward), with two valid, distinct examples of each type.

Original5 marksA coach relies heavily on rewards such as money and trophies to motivate young players. Explain one benefit and one risk of using extrinsic motivation, and how the coach could develop intrinsic motivation.
Show worked answer →

Benefit: extrinsic rewards can be a powerful short-term incentive, encouraging effort, attendance and commitment, especially for beginners or with tasks that are not yet enjoyable in themselves.

Risk: over-reliance on extrinsic rewards can undermine intrinsic motivation, so players take part only for the reward and lose interest if it stops or becomes routine.

To develop intrinsic motivation the coach could set personal challenges and achievable goals, praise effort and improvement, make sessions enjoyable and varied, and give players some choice and responsibility, so they take part for the satisfaction itself.

What markers reward: a valid benefit (short-term incentive) and risk (undermining intrinsic motivation) of extrinsic rewards, and sensible strategies to build intrinsic motivation such as enjoyable sessions, personal goals and praising effort.

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