Chapter 1

I was really surprised to read that the absence of extrinsic rewards always created dissatisfaction, but their presence doesn’t always lead to job satisfaction. However, after thinking about this statement I can relate this to how I have managed my schoolwork in college. Some of the easiest classes I have taken in college content wise are the classes where I received lower grades than some of the hardest classes I have taken. When looking at the classes I have taken, I can definitely tell what interested me and which classes I could care less about. For example, I have received higher grades in my education classes particularly because I know I will be applying this material in the future, and I enjoy learning about different ways I can improve my teaching abilities. However, there are a couple of 100 level classes where looking back at it was they were the easiest classes I have taken in college, but I didn’t have any motivation to excel in these classes because they didn’t interest me. I find it easier to do the work in classes that I enjoy and want to learn more about than reading up on tons of different areas I don’t enjoy. I would really like to know the effect of taking extrinsic motivators away from people who are primarily intrinsically motivated at their jobs, and if the motivators change throughout the career.