External and Internal Motivation for Homework and Projects

External and Internal Motivation for Homework and Projects Do you know what drives you to get good grades or put that extra bit of effort into your science project? What is it that makes us want to do well- both on tests and in our lives? Our reasons or desires to succeed are our motivations. There are two key types of motivations:  intrinsic and extrinsic. The type of motivation that drives us actually affects how well we do.   Intrinsic motivation is the sort of desire that arises from within us. If you are an artist, you may be driven to paint because it brings you joy and peace. If you are a writer you may write to satisfy the need to create stories from the many ideas swimming around inside your head. These drives stem from an interest in the activity or job itself, without any external influence. Internal motivators often become defining qualities or characteristics of the person acting on them. Extrinsic motivation compels you to act based on some outside force or outcome. The desire is not one that would arise naturally within you, but because of someone or some consequence. You might be motivated to do some extra credit to keep from failing your math class. Your boss might offer an incentive program to make you work a little harder. These external influences can have a great impact on why or how people do what they do, sometimes even things that seem out of character.   While it would seem intrinsic motivation would be better than extrinsic, they both have their advantages. Being internally motivated is most rewarding in that the activity or area of study naturally brings a person pleasure. The desire to perform an action requires less effort than an externally driven motivation. Being good at the activity is not necessarily a factor. Many people are motivated to sing karaoke despite their musical ability, for example. Ideally, people would be intrinsically motivated to do well in all aspects of their life. However, that is not the reality. Extrinsic motivation is good for when someone has a job or an assignment to do that they do not really enjoy for its own sake. This can be beneficial in the workplace, school, and life in general. Good grades and the possibility of getting into a good college are good external motivators for a student. Receiving a promotion or a pay raise incentivizes employees to go above and beyond at work. Perhaps some of the most beneficial aspects of extrinsic motivators are that they encourage people to try new things. Someone that has never tried horseback riding may not know that it is something they might really enjoy. A teacher might encourage a talented young student to take classes they normally would not have, introducing them to a new area of interest.   Intrinsic and extrinsic motivations work in different ways but are equally important. It is really great to feel good about doing something you love and doing it well. However, no one can function in the world acting only on internal desires. Those external influences help people develop in all aspects of life.

Quotes from James Monroe - Fifth President of the United States

Quotes from James Monroe - Fifth President of the United States James Monroe was a fascinating character. He was studied law with Thomas Jefferson. He served under George Washington during the American Revolution. He was also the only person to serve as both Secretary of War and Secretary of State at the same time during the War of 1812. Learn more about James Monroe. The American continents ... are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers. Stated in The Monroe Doctrine on December 2, 1823.   If America wants concessions, she must fight for them. We must purchase our power with our blood. It is only when the people become ignorant and corrupt, when they degenerate into a populace, that they are incapable of exercising their sovereignty. Usurpation is then an easy attainment, and an usurper soon found. The people themselves become the willing instruments of their own debasement and ruin. Stated during the First Inaugural Address of James Monroe on Tuesday, March 4, 1817.   The best form of government is that which is most likely to prevent the greatest sum of evil. Never did a government commence under auspices so favorable, nor ever was success so complete. If we look to the history of other nations, ancient or modern, we find no example of a growth so rapid, so gigantic, of a people so prosperous and happy.  Stated during the First Inaugural Address of James Monroe on Tuesday, March 4, 1817.   In this great nation there is but one order, that of the people, whose power, by a peculiarly happy improvement of the representative principle, is transferred from them, without impairing in the slightest degree their sovereignty, to bodies of their own creation, and to persons elected by themselves, in the full extent necessary for the purposes of free, enlightened, and efficient government. Stated during the Second Inaugural Address of the president on Tuesday March 6, 1821.

Archaeology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

Archaeology - Essay Example It investigates into the speleothems as cave morphologies in the archeological study as terrestrial archives of past environmental and climatic change. U dating method is used to establish the growth phases of the speleothems, and higher precipitation conditions in areas of Porte Rico during the investigated period. Areas of Maruca, Angostura and (PDI) Paso Del Indio with established archeological deposits and permanent settlement during the period are examined. The adaptation strategies for Angostura were micro-surface modification of the landscape and technological improvement to better the living conditions while Maruca and PDI resort to relocation and then reoccupation after the precipitation period (Rivera-Collazo 637). The events of drought and aridity experienced in the prehistoric and ancient times also attracted widespread responses for the people’s sustainability. It addresses the climatic change during the Holocene period notoriously marked with variable conditions of drought, aridity and reduced rainfall amongst, which influenced various human’s adaptations. Evidence from archeological sites and reconstruction of monsoon winds facilitate understanding of the effective adaptations and estimation of aridity. The article identifies the major rainwater harvesting strategies besides migration of the populations and distortion of their cultures as human coping mechanisms adopted in prehistoric times (Pandey, Gupta and Anderson 46). The study majorly focuses on Indian communities and demonstrates how the ancient water harvesting response remains in practice to the modern day. The speleothems that have developed in the calvens of Palco in Puerto Rico provide evidential materials that accumulated over time. Through a series of uranium dating methods, the speleothems growth rate can be determined. Stalagmite formation inside the calven enables the investigation of active dripping, erosion and hiatuses in speleothems in

Effects of Bullshit on Society Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Effects of Bullshit on Society - Essay Example the act of an individual (the bullshitter) presenting ideas loosely as true, whereas he/she does not know or care if they are true or not, instead seeking only to impress. In this respect, bullshit is more dangerous than an outright lie. Frankfurt further states that bullshit may involve the falsification of the self by misrepresenting one’s attitudes, thoughts, and/or feelings. Frankfurt, in this respect suggests that bullshit does not necessarily feature the falsification of facts. Bullshit is entirely disconnected from the truth in a manner that lying is not. Frankfurt (55) states that it is difficult for an individual to lie unless he or she knows the truth. On the other hand, generating bullshit does not demand so much conviction. An individual who is lying, therefore, responds to the truth and in that context respects the lie. When a sincere person speaks, he or she exactly knows that whatever he/she is saying is the truth. The liar on the other hand appreciates that his /she is telling lies. In the context of bullshit, the individual neither speaks the truth nor lies (Frankfurt 55). Bullshit is a very big threat to the growth of the society as the bullshitter cares about nothing and acts carelessly says things anyhow. Bullshit also pulls the society down as nothing good will come out of the words and acts that are uttered and sown carelessly. To a great level, bullshit hinders and demoralizes respect for the truth, and therefore fosters the fear of truth. It makes people believe in and support what is presented as wrong while in the actual sense is right much like it makes people reject whatever may, in fact, be right. The present political scenario is full of bullshit because the politicians make statements that are not based on any truth. Politicians tell a lot of bullshit even as they are famous for opposing rational arguments through stupid means such as logical fallacy, misrepresentation, repetition, and lying. A good example of bullshit in

Week Three Young And Middle Adulthood Case Studies Essay Example for Free

Week Three Young And Middle Adulthood Case Studies Essay Life is changing every minute off every day. Life is changing right now, as we speak. Whether we like it or not. And, some things in life are uncontrollable. Today, we will meet a single mother of three children who is dealing with life style changes that have led her to living a healthier life, confiding in her family and friends, and enjoying the benefits of exercising regularly. Throughout the course of an individual’s life they may experience a number of personal relationships. While some relationships may be better, or healthier, than others, they all leave an impact on the individual’s life. And this is where we will meet Tina. Tina is a forty five year old single mother with three grown children, who are all still living at home. Tina is in a committed relationship with the love of her life, Michael. Michael and Tina have been together for the last five years and Michael would like to marry Tina. But, once upon a time before Tina met Michael she was married. Tina and her now ex-husband got divorced because he had an affair with a younger woman and later decided to leave Tina for his mistress. While Tina was married to her ex-husband she remained faithful and never struggled with the way her body looks or her personal appearance. However, since the divorce Tina has struggled with her self-esteem and has turned to the gym for help. Tina goes to the gym regularly, goes for runs, and maintains a healthy diet. But, for Tina that is not enough. She has noticed a decline in her abilities at the gym so she has increased the amount of time she spends at the gym to four hours a day. Tina is experiencing a role change in her life. The feelings of betrayal and rejection from the man she thought she would spend the rest of her life with have left her with a low self-esteem and closing out the people who truly love and care for her. A family is the best support system a person can have when they are going through a difficult time in their lives. And, lucky for Tina, that is what she has. While Tina has been struggling with her physical appearance her family has been supportive of her lifestyle changes. Although Tina’s boyfriend, Michael, is becoming extremely irritated by her obsession with the gym, he still allows her to spend the majority of her time there and is thankful for the time he gets to spend with her. Tina and Michael enjoy the time they get to spend together and Michael would like to marry Tina. However, Michael worries that Tina will not be able to emotionally commit to a marriage and maintain a strong, healthy marriage with him. Michael is very respectful of Tina and her wishes. Tina would like to remain celibate until she remarries and Michael does not pressure her to have sexual intercourse with him. Tina also has her own personal worries about her relationship with Michael. She worries that his motives are not where they should be. But, regardless of her worries she is still in love with Michael. Tina is able to confide in her best friend, Ida, about the problems in her life. Tina often talks to her friend Ida about the problems that occurred in her previous marriage and her feelings regarding her ex-husband leaving her for a younger woman. Tina also has the support of her three grown adult children who live at home with her. It is important for people to have a strong support system when they are going through a hard time. A healthy lifestyle is one of the most important choices an individual can make in their life. And, ever since her divorce with her ex-husband, Tina has devoted herself to living a healthy lifestyle. Tina has made lifestyle changes that include maintaining a healthy diet, visiting the gym regularly, and going for runs. She visits the gym every day for four hours a day. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, any adult ranging from the age of eighteen to sixty four should exercise for a minimum of one hundred and fifty minutes a week, or two hours and thirty minutes a day. According to the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, you need to do two types of physical activity each week to improve your health–aerobic and muscle-strengthening. Tina’s devotion to exercise will  decrease her chances of cardiovascular disease, reduce her risk for certain cancers, strengthen her bones and muscles, increase her life expectancy, control her weight, and help her to feel better about herself. Everyone faces change in their lives. It is how we go about those changes that define who we are as individuals. When faced with a hard time, it is up to you to have the strength to overcome whatever it is that is bringing you down. In Tina’s case, she was disrespected by her ex-husband and left for a younger woman. To overcome her struggles with her self-esteem Tina turned to a healthy diet and exercise. She also relied on the love and support from her family and friends. References: Center for Disease Control and Prevention. How much Physical Activity do Adults Need? Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/adults/index.htm Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Health.Gov. 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Retrieved from: http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/guidelines/summary.aspx

Reconstruction in the Post-Civil War Era Essay -- USA, American Histor

After the Civil War, the South lay in ruins. Streets were lined with the lifeless bodies of Confederate soldiers whilst the buildings smoldered right down to their foundations. In an effort to restore the South to its former charm, the U.S. government plunged the country into what is now called the Reconstruction Era. President Lincoln’s approach towards reconstruction, known as the 10% Plan, was rivaled by the collaborative effort of Henry Davis and Benjamin Wade; known as the Wade-Davis Bill. Both plans never made it into effect, but they set a precedent for more rivalries to come. President Johnson’s election did not serve any justice towards the effort of Reconstruction. He was a â€Å"Southern Sympathizer† who did all in his power to pardon all Confederate soldiers as well as suppress the rights of newly emancipated African Americans. Going against Congress, Johnson implemented his own plan on allowing southern states back into the Union; under which the succeeded states needed to nullify secession and abolish slavery. Johnson also agreed to not pay any war debts to the Confedera...

Peace Cultures in Action Today Essay

In â€Å"Peace Cultures in Action Today†, the author argues that some small isolated societies manage to create a culture of peace that often ends or is severely modified when they begin interacting with outside cultures. The argument then is that the greater society of the world is less peaceful than these small isolated societies. This theory warrants further study, especially in the area of how these societies react when confronted with societies that do not have the same values. For example, when the Zuni and Inuit are confronted by the larger populace of the United States, do they become more competitive? The interesting question here then is, â€Å"Is competititiveness and aggression a learned behavior? † In the piece, â€Å"To Construct Peace† , Elise and Kenneth Boulding too argue that peaceable existence is a learned behavior and that it can be taught. Elise was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for this theory, but it does not seem particularly sound. Even their own pacifist leanings led to conflict. Though the conflict was in the court systems over the right to become a citizen without an oath to bear arms for the country and a battle over their refusal to sign anti-Communist statements during the McCarthy era, it was still a conflict based on their moral standing. Therefore, it is safe to believe that even in people who believe in and are taught to live in peace, conflict may be inevitable when dealing with the real world. Later the same peace cites Thomas Merton and his poetry and meditations against war and his disappointment that the church could support a â€Å"just war† theory. This again is an interesting position that requires more exploration. Should society allow tragic events to continue because of a belief in peace or should war become a tool of peace? The moral and social ambiguities are clear. If a person is being oppressed and his pacificits nature is being used to subjugate or eradicate him, isn’t there some point at which man must fight for his own survival? This is the point that all of the essayists seem to miss. Peace for peace’s sake is a good thing and being taught to attempt peaceful coexistence before immediately turning to aggressive behaviors may be appropriate. However, if the species is to survive, at some point base instincts overcome learning and the fight for survival becomes more powerful that the desire for peace.