FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

What is the term for using external rewards to motivate students to engage in learning?

1. Shaping

2. Intrinsic motivation

3. Extrinsic motivation

4. Positive punishment

The correct answer is: Extrinsic motivation

The term for using external rewards to motivate students to engage in learning is extrinsic motivation. This concept refers to a scenario where individuals are driven to perform a particular activity not for the inherent satisfaction of the activity itself, but for some separable consequence or reward that follows the activity, such as praise, prizes, or other incentives. Extrinsic motivation is particularly relevant in educational settings, where teachers might offer points, grades, or tangible rewards to encourage students to participate or excel in their studies. This motivates students to engage or sustain interest in learning tasks, even if they do not inherently enjoy the subject matter. The effectiveness of extrinsic motivation can vary, as some learners may eventually seek intrinsic value in their education, while others might depend on these external incentives to remain engaged. In contrast, intrinsic motivation involves engaging in an activity for its own sake, such as a personal interest or enjoyment, and positive punishment refers to introducing an unfavorable outcome to decrease a behavior, which does not align with the context of using rewards to foster engagement. Shaping is a behavioral technique used to guide actions toward a desired goal, but it is not specifically focused on rewards either.