Trait intrinsic and extrinsic motivations, academic performance, and creativity in Hong Kong college students

We examined the effects of trait intrinsic and extrinsic motivations, measured by the Work Preference Inventory (WPI; Amabile, Hill, Hennessey, & Tighe, 1994), on creativity and academic performance. In an experimental creative writing task, intrinsic motivation correlated with creativity. In a follow-up study, intrinsic motivation correlated negatively with year-1GPA, whereas extrinsic motivation correlated positively. Findings suggest that our college environment discourages intrinsic motivation and creativity.