Extrinsic motivation

Extrinsic motivation is predominantly used in Singapore. On the roads, for example, more Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) gantries are being introduced to deter traffic congestion and to motivate people to take public transport. In the steps taken to address the decreasing birth rate, the Singapore government has even used cash bonuses to give couples the incentive to have babies. In Singapore, almost everything is played by bonuses and fines – If you listen to the government, you will benefit; if you do not, you have to pay for it. So how does this set of extrinsic motivation exactly impact us?

One way extrinsic motivation can impact us is by resulting in greater inequality in the society. If you have read the comics strip CHEW ON IT!, published in The Sunday Times today, you would have seen it comment on the drop in bus-lane offences, following the installation of cameras on buses to catch errant drivers. According to the comic strip, the drop is not because many motorists now abide by the law but in fact, many of them now cannot afford to drive. Although this is not necessarily true, what the cartoonist is implying is that such external interventions may result in disadvantages instead. For example, ERP, high penalties, road tax, etc is making driving costly so expensive that it is unaffordable to the lower income group. So while the higher income group, who remain much unaffected by such costs, can continue with their lifestyle, the poorer ones are put at a greater disadvantaged and have to suffer much inconvenience. Hence, such extrinsic motivation in the form of fines would cause much unfairness to the lower income group as they are the ones who would have to undertake the greatest blow when it is probably not their fault to begin with.

Also, extrinsic motivation can "disarmed our inner moral compasses", as mentioned by Lydia Lim in the passage. The fact that the installation of cameras on buses is necessary to deter motorists from committing bus-lane offences just speaks it all. The same goes for the fact that the implementation of the Community Involvement Programme is needed to 'force' students to contribute to the society. Hence, extrinsic motivation plays a huge part in determining our actions. In other words, many Singaporeans are only doing actions only if they stand to benefit from it and not base on their moral compasses. Hence, extrinsic motivation has blind Singaporeans with realistic incentives and makes them fail to see the moral purpose of doing so.

In conclusion, extrinsic motivation may have been successful in reaching its aims but it also has several adverse sidekick impacts.