Extrinsic
adjective
Something that is extrinsic is not a natural or main part of something. It's outside of it or attached to it.
Her love for animals was extrinsic to her nature; it sparked when she got her first pet.
Often appears as...
- extrinsic factor
- extrinsic motivation
adjective
Extrinsic is used to refer to rewards or reasons for doing something that come from outside of one's self, like money or praise.
Salaries and bonuses are extrinsic rewards, and they can motivate employees to work hard.
Often appears as...
- extrinsic motivation
- extrinsic reward
Usage tips
Academic
adjective
Something that is extrinsic is not a natural or main part of something. It's outside of it or attached to it.
Her love for animals was extrinsic to her nature; it sparked when she got her first pet.
Often appears as...
- extrinsic factor
- extrinsic motivation
adjective
Extrinsic is used to refer to rewards or reasons for doing something that come from outside of one's self, like money or praise.
Salaries and bonuses are extrinsic rewards, and they can motivate employees to work hard.
Often appears as...
- extrinsic motivation
- extrinsic reward
Usage tips
Academic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Natural Contrast
Use 'extrinsic' to highlight that something is not naturally part of an object, person, or situation.
The extrinsic decorations were added to the ancient statue recently.
Pro Tip 2/3Added Quality
'Extrinsic' can imply qualities that have been added to enhance or change something original.
The extrinsic flavors in the drink come from artificial sweeteners.
Pro Tip 3/3Outside Influence
'Extrinsic' often suggests that an influence comes from the outside rather than from within.
Extrinsic pressures from his parents shaped his career choice.
Pro Tip 1/3Natural Contrast
Use 'extrinsic' to highlight that something is not naturally part of an object, person, or situation.
The extrinsic decorations were added to the ancient statue recently.
Pro Tip 2/3Added Quality
'Extrinsic' can imply qualities that have been added to enhance or change something original.
The extrinsic flavors in the drink come from artificial sweeteners.
Pro Tip 3/3Outside Influence
'Extrinsic' often suggests that an influence comes from the outside rather than from within.
Extrinsic pressures from his parents shaped his career choice.
Pro Tip 1/3Natural Contrast
Use 'extrinsic' to highlight that something is not naturally part of an object, person, or situation.
The extrinsic decorations were added to the ancient statue recently.
Pro Tip 2/3Added Quality
'Extrinsic' can imply qualities that have been added to enhance or change something original.
The extrinsic flavors in the drink come from artificial sweeteners.
Pro Tip 3/3Outside Influence
'Extrinsic' often suggests that an influence comes from the outside rather than from within.
Extrinsic pressures from his parents shaped his career choice.
Compare with
acquireadventitiousancillaryderivativeexternalincidentalsecondarysuperficial
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Video examples
Would winning the...
The wealthy players started patronizing the poorer players and hogging the snacks they were meant to share. But just because a huge influx of cash isn't guaranteed to bring joy into your life doesn't mean that money can never make us happier. Findings show that we adapt to extrinsic and material things,
Video examples
The puzzle of motivation...
or, often, they do harm. This is one of the most robust findings in social science, and also one of the most ignored. I spent the last couple of years looking at the science of human motivation, particularly the dynamics of extrinsic motivators
Video examples
Would winning the...
The wealthy players started patronizing the poorer players and hogging the snacks they were meant to share. But just because a huge influx of cash isn't guaranteed to bring joy into your life doesn't mean that money can never make us happier. Findings show that we adapt to extrinsic and material things,
Video examples
The puzzle of motivation...
or, often, they do harm. This is one of the most robust findings in social science, and also one of the most ignored. I spent the last couple of years looking at the science of human motivation, particularly the dynamics of extrinsic motivators
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Justin Kan
American Businessman
Extrinsic motivations are like, 'I wanna get rich, I wanna be famous.'... Even missionary ones like, 'I wanna change the world with this idea.'... That's an extrinsic motivation. And when things are hard, you're going to be like, oh why am I doing this?
Quote examples
Justin Kan
American Businessman
Extrinsic motivations are like, 'I wanna get rich, I wanna be famous.'... Even missionary ones like, 'I wanna change the world with this idea.'... That's an extrinsic motivation. And when things are hard, you're going to be like, oh why am I doing this?
Example 1 of 1
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