Write for an Academic Discussion

A professor has posted a question about a topic and students have responded with their thoughts and ideas. Make a contribution to the discussion.
You will have 10 minutes to write.

Your professor is teaching a class on psychology.

In your response, you should do the following.

• • Express and support your opinion.
• • Make a contribution to the discussion in your own words.

An effective response will contain at least 100 words.

Professor’s question:

We've been exploring the concept of motivation. When it comes to achieving long-term goals, such as learning a new skill or adopting a healthier lifestyle, there are two main types of motivation: intrinsic (driven by internal rewards, like enjoyment) and extrinsic (driven by external rewards, like praise or money). Which type of motivation do you think is more effective for sustaining effort over the long term? Why do you think so?

Student response 1:

In my opinion, intrinsic motivation is far more powerful. When you do something because you genuinely enjoy it, you don't need external rewards to keep going. For instance, someone who loves playing the guitar will practice for hours. Therefore, their passion is what sustains their long-term commitment.

Student response 2:

I disagree, I think extrinsic motivation is more effective, especially for difficult or boring tasks. Sometimes, personal enjoyment isn't enough to get through a challenge. However, having a clear external reward, like a promotion at work or a good grade, provides a concrete target that keeps people focused and disciplined.