Intrinsic motivation
doing an activity for its inherent satisfaction rather than for external rewards
§1The Principia rendering
A copyright-clean measure of this construct, authored by Principia and free to use — the one we can show in full.
Predicted psychometrics. These 11 items carry a design grade of A (avg design score 94/100) from the item-design model — an estimate pending calibration, not a measured reliability. Real responses (via deployment) sharpen it toward measured, which is what the licensing model collects.
§3The math on what we know
Synthesized priors from the live registry: pooled r, studies (k), total N, top study grade, and heterogeneity. Rows flagged for heterogeneity or single-study evidence are directional, not settled — read them as a central tendency.
What drives intrinsic motivation
| Predictor | r | k | N | Grade | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Autonomy | +0.64 | 1 | 12,594 | A | single study |
| Competence | +0.32 | 1 | 12,594 | A | single study |
| Pay For Performance | +0.14 | 1 | 5,936 | A | single study |
What intrinsic motivation predicts
| Outcome | r | k | N | Grade | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Performance Quality | +0.35 | 1 | 8,926 | A | single study |
| Performance Quantity | +0.26 | 1 | 185,323 | A | single study |
| Task Performance | +0.26 | 1 | 212,468 | A | single study |
§4As a model node
Where intrinsic motivation sits when you drop it into a model — what feeds it, what it moves. Read left to right as a small, actionable causal claim.
Inputs (drivers)
- Autonomy+0.64
- Competence+0.32
- Pay For Performance+0.14
Outputs (outcomes)
- Performance Quality+0.35
- Performance Quantity+0.26
- Task Performance+0.26