Intrinsic Motivation

   Intrinsic motivation stems from the fulfillment of an inner satisfaction. It is the motivation of engaging in some type of behavior arising from internal gratification versus external rewards such as money, prizes, etc. The type of motivation someone may have varies in the orientation (what type of motivation) and the level (the extent of the motivation). In Last Chance High we have become exposed to two individuals Cortez and Crystal whom have both been described as having absent fathers. Crystal’s mother states “who she has become in life has part to do with him...” she also came to conclude, “it’s not me who she wants it’s her dad.” In a sense Crystal demonstrates a lack of intrinsic motivation to cooperate with her mother and those she interacts with at school. From only observing her actions she does not appear to receive internal satisfaction when obedient to a higher authority. In the video her mother portrays her father’s absence as the guide to the nature of her behavior, judgment and sense of being and a barricade to her understanding of current consequences and potential punishments. Being intrinsically motivated is to essentially understand the value of something without having to be externally rewarded. Crystal’s intrinsic motivation may not be focused on the value her attitude will have on her personally or fully grasp an acceptance of the utility a positive behavior may have as an inherent incentive. She has a choice in the way she acts and her ability to self-direct how she lives her life expands the sense of autonomy.    This may apply to Cortez as well, although Crystal and Cortez exhibit two different behaviors Cortez may receive some satisfaction in his behavior because the activities he engages are conducive to the feeling of being competent. This feeling alone can promote the actions he partakes in. For instance, he states he likes to provoke fights, possibly because he is the one who controls the aspect of the action of fighting (who he chooses to fight, how he engages in the fight, etc.). That sense of control may be internally pleasing and possibly his own type of intrinsic motivation. Cortez’s father being in prison is something he cannot control which may assist in promoting an even higher desire of physically being able to control what happens to him. Both Crystal and Cortez appear to be satisfied with doing what they themselves want to do because this control is self-directed being reflected as their own individual stem of power.