7 Enjoyment, Self-Actualization, and Intrinsic Rewards
When John Stuart Mill was a young man, he sought to spread the idea of happiness and realized that chasing happiness directly could actually lead to unhappiness. He discovered that focusing on something other than personal happiness, like helping others or pursuing a meaningful work or passion, could lead to true happiness. Mill concluded that making happiness a goal could lead to disappointment, while finding joy in other pursuits allows happiness to come naturally.
He suggested that once people have their basic needs met, like security and self-respect, they may still feel unhappy. The key is to focus on activities that bring enjoyment, fulfillment, or personal growth rather than actively searching for happiness. However, finding meaningful pursuits has become more challenging over time, especially in relation to work.
Work is central in people's lives, occupying many waking hours, and is often seen as a major source of satisfaction. Views on work have changed over time, with thinkers like Karl Marx emphasizing its importance for personal identity and fulfillment. Today, many people report dissatisfaction with their jobs, which can negatively affect their overall happiness. Studies show a significant decline in job enjoyment, with fewer people feeling fulfilled by their work now compared to the past.
This decline in satisfaction is commonly linked to the effects of modernization, leading to feelings of boredom and lack of purpose. Despite living more comfortably than previous generations, people seem less happy. The loss of religious faith and belief in greater purposes may contribute to feelings of alienation and a lack of meaning in life.
While public policy typically addresses issues like poverty and crime, the focus should also shift to how it can foster environments that promote enjoyment and self-fulfillment. Although enjoyment is diverse and subjective, its underlying principles are defined and can be explored, just as social policies can create conditions for self-respect. The following sections will examine enjoyment's basis as discussed by Aristotle, modern research on enjoyment, and the conditions that promote fulfilling experiences.
Enjoyment and the Aristotelian Principle
Aristotle's ideas about happiness and enjoyment have had a lasting impact, especially through the "Aristotelian Principle," explained by John Rawls. This principle suggests that people enjoy using their skills more as they become better at them and that they prefer activities that are more complex. For instance, someone who is good at both chess and checkers will usually choose chess because it is a more complicated game.
As scientists studied human behavior, they moved away from the belief that it could be explained only by basic needs like hunger or sex. Early psychological theories focused on simple reactions to stimuli, like how Pavlov's dog learned that a bell meant food. However, more research showed that both humans and animals often seek new and interesting experiences because these bring them happiness.
Studies found that people, even infants, like a mix of familiar and new things, and they enjoy more complex shapes over simpler ones. Psychologists realized that many activities we engage in, like play, are done just for fun and don't require outside rewards. This led to the idea of "effectance motivation," proposed by Robert White, which means that people feel good when they can successfully deal with their environment. This idea shows that humans have a strong desire to develop their skills and grow, adding more depth to our understanding of why we behave the way we do beyond just fulfilling basic needs.
The Anatomy of Enjoyment
Abraham Maslow introduced the idea of "self-actualization" in his hierarchy of human needs. This concept refers to the desire to fulfill one's potential and do what one is truly fitted for, such as musicians making music or artists painting. Maslow suggested that experiencing self-actualization leads to "peak experiences," which are intensely enjoyable moments that everyone should aim to experience regularly.
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, a scholar from the University of Chicago, focused on understanding "enjoyment" directly. His study looked at people engaged in activities they loved but offered minimal conventional rewards, like rock climbers, composers, chess players, basketball players, and modern dancers. The researchers discovered that these individuals were driven by intrinsic motivation—they enjoyed their activities for the sake of the activity itself, not for any external rewards. This phenomenon was renamed "flow," a state where individuals are fully immersed and lost in their activity.
Flow is characterized by a few key aspects. First, individuals experience a sense of control and focus, knowing exactly what they’re doing. Second, there's a loss of self-consciousness, meaning one isn't concerned with their own abilities but is completely absorbed in the task. Third, attention narrows to the activity at hand, making distractions fade away. In flow, individuals feel a clear sense of right and wrong, receiving immediate feedback about their performance, which contributes to their enjoyment. As exemplified by basketball players or chess players, the experience becomes about the process itself, not just the outcome.
The enjoyment of activities is not limited to traditionally exciting jobs. A directory assistance operator described his job as enjoyable by relying on his memory instead of a computer, creating a rhythm and flow in his work. Similarly, waitresses and others in different roles find ways to enhance their work experience by adding personal skills and challenges. The key to enjoyment lies in finding a balance between one’s skills and the challenges presented by the activity.
Csikszentmihalyi’s research concluded that enjoyment and challenge are closely related. Enjoyment comes when individuals face challenges that match their skill level—a sweet spot that keeps them engaged. If the challenge becomes too difficult, it leads to anxiety; if it is too easy, it results in boredom. Thus, the right level of challenge is essential for enjoyment. This aligns with Aristotle's view that people enjoy exercising their capacities, and the more they realize their potential, the more enjoyment they experience. The implication is that creating opportunities for challenges is as vital for society as ensuring access to food, emphasizing how fundamental these experiences are for human fulfillment and happiness.
Self-Actualization and Intrinsic Rewards
Many people spend their lives doing activities that are not always fulfilling or enjoyable. Even in high-status jobs like heart surgery or acting, the exciting parts are rare compared to the time spent on less glamorous tasks. However, some individuals find joy in their work consistently, not just in brief moments. This is linked to a phenomenon known as intrinsic motivation, which is the natural desire to engage in activities for their own sake, rather than for external rewards.
Research indicates that payment can change how people view an activity. When individuals are paid for tasks, they often see these tasks as work, which reduces their intrinsic enjoyment. For example, studies have shown that students paid to solve puzzles tended to choose other activities afterward rather than continuing to play with the puzzles, while those who were not paid continued engaging with them. This suggests that payment can turn enjoyable activities into chores.
Researchers have explored the effects of both intrinsic and extrinsic motivations on behavior. They found that while extrinsic rewards like money can diminish intrinsic motivation, certain types of rewards might not have this negative effect. For instance, different types of feedback can support or undermine intrinsic motivation. Informational feedback, which provides useful information without imposing pressure, tends to be positive for intrinsic motivation, while controlling feedback can lead to a reduction in enjoyment.
The interaction between intrinsic and extrinsic motivations reveals a fundamental tension: When people perceive task completion as linked to external incentives, they may become less engaged and motivated. This aligns with findings about how rewards influence perceptions of competence and control in activities. The more individuals feel in control, the more they enjoy what they are doing. Conversely, if they feel pressured to perform, their enjoyment and intrinsic motivation may decline.
Three main propositions arise from this research on motivation. The first emphasizes the importance of personal control: people enjoy activities more when they feel they have control over them. If they perceive that they are only working for money, they are likely to lose interest in the activity itself. The second proposition highlights the need for challenges—people derive satisfaction and motivation from overcoming difficult tasks, which enhances their sense of competence. Lastly, the distinction between types of feedback matters. Informational feedback enhances motivation, while controlling or amotivational feedback can decrease it.
Overall, while extrinsic rewards are common in both capitalism and socialism, their potential to negatively impact intrinsic motivation is a pressing concern. However, research suggests that it is possible to maintain or even boost intrinsic motivation by ensuring that individuals feel competent and in control of their activities. Understanding the dynamics of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation can help create environments where people can thrive in their pursuits, both personally and professionally.
Reprise: Self-Actualization as Enjoyment and Enjoyment as the Exercise of Competence in the Face of Challenge
Self-actualization and happiness are often talked about without much thought, making them hard to understand. However, people can truly enjoy certain activities for long periods without getting bored, and this joy is linked to self-actualization. Instead of just looking at material progress in social policies, it’s important to explore what makes people happy and how that connects to their lives. For example, it's commonly believed that having more free time means a happier life, but this view ignores personal preferences. Many people assume that some jobs are better than others, but this doesn’t consider that different people might enjoy different types of work.
Also, current social policies focus on removing challenges, but overcoming difficulties can bring a sense of achievement and joy. To support enjoyment, policies should help people develop their skills and competencies, not just give more resources. It’s vital for people to feel they truly have control and competence, rather than just feeling that way. This means that social policies should promote genuine control and skill-building, which can lead to better enjoyment in life. By focusing on challenges and meaningful experiences instead of just distributing resources, policies can better help people find happiness in their lives.
When John Stuart Mill was a young man, he sought to spread the idea of happiness and realized that chasing happiness directly could actually lead to unhappiness. He discovered that focusing on something other than personal happiness, like helping others or pursuing a meaningful work or passion, could lead to true happiness. Mill concluded that making happiness a goal could lead to disappointment, while finding joy in other pursuits allows happiness to come naturally.
He suggested that once people have their basic needs met, like security and self-respect, they may still feel unhappy. The key is to focus on activities that bring enjoyment, fulfillment, or personal growth rather than actively searching for happiness. However, finding meaningful pursuits has become more challenging over time, especially in relation to work.
Work is central in people's lives, occupying many waking hours, and is often seen as a major source of satisfaction. Views on work have changed over time, with thinkers like Karl Marx emphasizing its importance for personal identity and fulfillment. Today, many people report dissatisfaction with their jobs, which can negatively affect their overall happiness. Studies show a significant decline in job enjoyment, with fewer people feeling fulfilled by their work now compared to the past.
This decline in satisfaction is commonly linked to the effects of modernization, leading to feelings of boredom and lack of purpose. Despite living more comfortably than previous generations, people seem less happy. The loss of religious faith and belief in greater purposes may contribute to feelings of alienation and a lack of meaning in life.
While public policy typically addresses issues like poverty and crime, the focus should also shift to how it can foster environments that promote enjoyment and self-fulfillment. Although enjoyment is diverse and subjective, its underlying principles are defined and can be explored, just as social policies can create conditions for self-respect. The following sections will examine enjoyment's basis as discussed by Aristotle, modern research on enjoyment, and the conditions that promote fulfilling experiences.
Enjoyment and the Aristotelian Principle
Aristotle's ideas about happiness and enjoyment have had a lasting impact, especially through the "Aristotelian Principle," explained by John Rawls. This principle suggests that people enjoy using their skills more as they become better at them and that they prefer activities that are more complex. For instance, someone who is good at both chess and checkers will usually choose chess because it is a more complicated game.
As scientists studied human behavior, they moved away from the belief that it could be explained only by basic needs like hunger or sex. Early psychological theories focused on simple reactions to stimuli, like how Pavlov's dog learned that a bell meant food. However, more research showed that both humans and animals often seek new and interesting experiences because these bring them happiness.
Studies found that people, even infants, like a mix of familiar and new things, and they enjoy more complex shapes over simpler ones. Psychologists realized that many activities we engage in, like play, are done just for fun and don't require outside rewards. This led to the idea of "effectance motivation," proposed by Robert White, which means that people feel good when they can successfully deal with their environment. This idea shows that humans have a strong desire to develop their skills and grow, adding more depth to our understanding of why we behave the way we do beyond just fulfilling basic needs.
The Anatomy of Enjoyment
Abraham Maslow introduced the idea of "self-actualization" in his hierarchy of human needs. This concept refers to the desire to fulfill one's potential and do what one is truly fitted for, such as musicians making music or artists painting. Maslow suggested that experiencing self-actualization leads to "peak experiences," which are intensely enjoyable moments that everyone should aim to experience regularly.
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, a scholar from the University of Chicago, focused on understanding "enjoyment" directly. His study looked at people engaged in activities they loved but offered minimal conventional rewards, like rock climbers, composers, chess players, basketball players, and modern dancers. The researchers discovered that these individuals were driven by intrinsic motivation—they enjoyed their activities for the sake of the activity itself, not for any external rewards. This phenomenon was renamed "flow," a state where individuals are fully immersed and lost in their activity.
Flow is characterized by a few key aspects. First, individuals experience a sense of control and focus, knowing exactly what they’re doing. Second, there's a loss of self-consciousness, meaning one isn't concerned with their own abilities but is completely absorbed in the task. Third, attention narrows to the activity at hand, making distractions fade away. In flow, individuals feel a clear sense of right and wrong, receiving immediate feedback about their performance, which contributes to their enjoyment. As exemplified by basketball players or chess players, the experience becomes about the process itself, not just the outcome.
The enjoyment of activities is not limited to traditionally exciting jobs. A directory assistance operator described his job as enjoyable by relying on his memory instead of a computer, creating a rhythm and flow in his work. Similarly, waitresses and others in different roles find ways to enhance their work experience by adding personal skills and challenges. The key to enjoyment lies in finding a balance between one’s skills and the challenges presented by the activity.
Csikszentmihalyi’s research concluded that enjoyment and challenge are closely related. Enjoyment comes when individuals face challenges that match their skill level—a sweet spot that keeps them engaged. If the challenge becomes too difficult, it leads to anxiety; if it is too easy, it results in boredom. Thus, the right level of challenge is essential for enjoyment. This aligns with Aristotle's view that people enjoy exercising their capacities, and the more they realize their potential, the more enjoyment they experience. The implication is that creating opportunities for challenges is as vital for society as ensuring access to food, emphasizing how fundamental these experiences are for human fulfillment and happiness.
Self-Actualization and Intrinsic Rewards
Many people spend their lives doing activities that are not always fulfilling or enjoyable. Even in high-status jobs like heart surgery or acting, the exciting parts are rare compared to the time spent on less glamorous tasks. However, some individuals find joy in their work consistently, not just in brief moments. This is linked to a phenomenon known as intrinsic motivation, which is the natural desire to engage in activities for their own sake, rather than for external rewards.
Research indicates that payment can change how people view an activity. When individuals are paid for tasks, they often see these tasks as work, which reduces their intrinsic enjoyment. For example, studies have shown that students paid to solve puzzles tended to choose other activities afterward rather than continuing to play with the puzzles, while those who were not paid continued engaging with them. This suggests that payment can turn enjoyable activities into chores.
Researchers have explored the effects of both intrinsic and extrinsic motivations on behavior. They found that while extrinsic rewards like money can diminish intrinsic motivation, certain types of rewards might not have this negative effect. For instance, different types of feedback can support or undermine intrinsic motivation. Informational feedback, which provides useful information without imposing pressure, tends to be positive for intrinsic motivation, while controlling feedback can lead to a reduction in enjoyment.
The interaction between intrinsic and extrinsic motivations reveals a fundamental tension: When people perceive task completion as linked to external incentives, they may become less engaged and motivated. This aligns with findings about how rewards influence perceptions of competence and control in activities. The more individuals feel in control, the more they enjoy what they are doing. Conversely, if they feel pressured to perform, their enjoyment and intrinsic motivation may decline.
Three main propositions arise from this research on motivation. The first emphasizes the importance of personal control: people enjoy activities more when they feel they have control over them. If they perceive that they are only working for money, they are likely to lose interest in the activity itself. The second proposition highlights the need for challenges—people derive satisfaction and motivation from overcoming difficult tasks, which enhances their sense of competence. Lastly, the distinction between types of feedback matters. Informational feedback enhances motivation, while controlling or amotivational feedback can decrease it.
Overall, while extrinsic rewards are common in both capitalism and socialism, their potential to negatively impact intrinsic motivation is a pressing concern. However, research suggests that it is possible to maintain or even boost intrinsic motivation by ensuring that individuals feel competent and in control of their activities. Understanding the dynamics of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation can help create environments where people can thrive in their pursuits, both personally and professionally.
Reprise: Self-Actualization as Enjoyment and Enjoyment as the Exercise of Competence in the Face of Challenge
Self-actualization and happiness are often talked about without much thought, making them hard to understand. However, people can truly enjoy certain activities for long periods without getting bored, and this joy is linked to self-actualization. Instead of just looking at material progress in social policies, it’s important to explore what makes people happy and how that connects to their lives. For example, it's commonly believed that having more free time means a happier life, but this view ignores personal preferences. Many people assume that some jobs are better than others, but this doesn’t consider that different people might enjoy different types of work.
Also, current social policies focus on removing challenges, but overcoming difficulties can bring a sense of achievement and joy. To support enjoyment, policies should help people develop their skills and competencies, not just give more resources. It’s vital for people to feel they truly have control and competence, rather than just feeling that way. This means that social policies should promote genuine control and skill-building, which can lead to better enjoyment in life. By focusing on challenges and meaningful experiences instead of just distributing resources, policies can better help people find happiness in their lives.