Ryan, Kuhl, Deci (1997) conducted the first study of intrinsic motivation that considered child’s play as an independent variable. The researchers discovered that intrinsic motivation is readily evident in a child’s play that demonstrates satisfaction, contentment, and accomplishment when they succeed their intended goals through role-playing and discovery.

Learning through reinforcement, for example, is one way of motivating learning. Reflect on your motivators during child play, and discover and explain how it has impacted your motivation today. Explain the reinforcement technique and apply it to a real-life situation. How might it impact your career path.