Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation among Collegiate Instrumentalists

The purpose of this study was to gather and compare information on measures of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation among instrumentalists enrolled in collegiate ensembles. A survey instrument was developed to gather information concerning demographic data and responses to questions on motivational preference. Participants were undergraduate and graduate college instrumentalists (N=169) enrolled in band and orchestra ensembles at three universities in the southeastern United States. Results for all members of the survey indicate relatively high means for variables associated with intrinsic or "task/learning" orientations. Relatively low means were associated with variables regarded as extrinsic or "performance/ego" orientations. Factor analysis revealed three higher order constructs based upon all the motivation variables investigated in the study, these included Task/Learning, Performance/Ego, and Individual/Cooperative. Results suggest that musicians across a variety of populations consider intrinsic over extrinsic factors to be more motivating for musical activities. Implications for music education are discussed.