ABSTRACT
Mastery motivation is an intrinsic desire to master one’s environment, especially one’s physical environment. Although mastery motivation is associated with cognitive competence, it is a distinct construct. Competence represents what one already knows how to do, whereas mastery motivation is the disposition to persistently acquire competence. Controlling the environment and achieving a goal are inherently (i.e., intrinsically) pleasurable and rewarding. Thus, mastery motivation is a self-directed behavior that can best be inferred when extrinsic rewards are absent. Still, extrinsic rewards, especially social rewards, influence the development of mastery motivation and the amount of motivation shown in a given circumstance.
