You only grow when you challenge yourself according to ideals. Then challenge = growth.
Summary
Growth, or an increase of virtue, occurs when an individual desires the growth and willingly embraces a challenge. The psychological disposition of embracing a challenge has been described as having intrinsic motivation, as opposed to extrinsic motivation. [1] Intrinsic motivation is conducive to learning, competence, and growth, while extrinsic is not, and actually hinders the process. [2]
Intrinsic motivation (or a learning goal)(5) occurs when a person experiences joy and fulfillment in approaching the task or challenge, and their actions have an "internally perceived locus of causality" (2). This means the person has found meaning in the action itself, rather than merely the results. When extrinsically motivated (or having a performance goal)(5), a person acts out of anxiety, due to social, economic, or other pressures. This hinders growth, since challenges are seen as obstacles to desired outcomes, and are then avoided and dreaded. This ultimately leads to frustration and vicious cycles.
In learning to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, a person develops intrinsic motivation to learn from an experience, and growth can occur. They learn to see the process, rather than the outcome, as the reward (2).
Contributors
Alex Ortiz
References
- ↑ Gollwitzer, Peter M., and John A. Bargh, eds. "All Goals Are Not Created Equal." In The Psychology of Action: Linking Cognition and Motivation to Behavior, 7-26 New York: Guilford Press, 1996
- ↑ Dweck, Carol S. "Achievement Goals: Looking Smart Versus Learning." In Self-Theories: Their Role in Motivation, Personality, and Development. Essays in Social Psychology., Philadelphia, Pa.: Psychology Press, 2000
