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Intrinsic versus Extrinsic Motivation

Meaning

Intrinsic versus Extrinsic Motivation is a foundational psychological framework that clearly differentiates between two distinct sources of drive compelling an individual toward health-related behaviors. Intrinsic motivation arises from deep internal satisfaction, enjoyment, or a personal sense of inherent value derived from the activity itself, such as exercising for the feeling of physical strength or mental clarity. Conversely, extrinsic motivation is fundamentally driven by external rewards, tangible incentives, or specific pressures, like receiving praise from a clinician or the desire to achieve a specific, target number on a lab report. Understanding this distinction is absolutely critical in hormonal health, as sustained, long-term adherence to complex protocols is robustly correlated with fostering and maintaining intrinsic motivation.