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Every action a person takes is driven by motivation, whether positive or negative. In Wes Moore's memoir, The Other Wes Moore, events in the second half of the book highlight two main types of motivation: Intrinsic, which originates internally, and Extrinsic, which stems from external rewards. From reading the book, it can be inferred that author Wes Moore was guided by intrinsic motivation while the other Wes was influenced more by extrinsic incentives.
Both of the Wes Moore’s had different motivations for their actions in the second book, showing that the author runs on a more varied motivation while the other Wes is driven by a more selfish form of intrinsic motivation.
In the Memoir, The other Wes Moore, the author recounts a moment where he ends up hurting his own little sister, leading to his eventual punishment of being sent to boot camp. The text indicates that he was punching his sister out of boredom, seeking intrinsic satisfaction from the repetitive action.
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However, instead of the expected reward for eliminating his boredom, he received punishment in the form of military school. This serves as an example of the "carrot and stick tactic," where what seemed like a harmless action led to unexpected consequences.In The Other Wes Moore, a similar situation occurs to Wes where readers lose hope for his future. After getting Alicia pregnant, Wes becomes sexually promiscuous and ends up having a one-night stand with an unknown girl. As he leaves his house, Wes notices a tall, muscular teenager waiting for the girl outside.
It was unclear how long he had been waiting there, but it was evident that he was not content (Moore 103).
Wes found himself facing serious consequences for his actions, seeking internal satisfaction but facing external punishment. After getting caught with a new girl, Ray, her cousin, attacked Wes. In response, Wes reached for his gun and there was a violent confrontation. This resulted in attempted murder and Wes getting arrested. This cycle of seeking reward and facing punishment is a recurring theme in the life of the other Wes Moore (Pink 63-64). Wes acted out of a desire to defend his internal satisfaction but ended up facing the consequences yet again.
As one delves deeper into the second half of the book, one can observe a slight shift in the motivations of both Wes. The author Wes initially longed to return home when his mother sent him to military school, but as time passed, his perspective changed. Reflecting on his journey, he notes, "I was now a platoon sergeant, a cadet master sergeant, and the youngest senior noncommissioned officer in the entire corps...I was now one of the ones in charge of them" (Moore 115). The author's motivations have evolved from a mix of intrinsic and extrinsic factors based on his past environment to a strong drive for personal growth within the military. While making his mother happy serves as extrinsic motivation, the primary driving force behind his actions is intrinsic, reflecting his commitment to self-improvement.
The author realizes there are no rewards in the military, only pride, and focuses on personal achievements rather than economic gains. In Wes's case, his motivation shifted when he learned about the Job Corps from his friend Levy. Intrinsically motivated to leave the dealing game, Wes was determined to make a change. However, after returning to his old neighborhood and seeing the same street dynamics, he reverted back to dealing due to lack of sufficient income from the Job Corps. His motivation changed from intrinsic to extrinsic.The individual desired to return to focusing solely on the external reward of money, without realizing that this form of motivation would not be effective (Pink 64).
Both Wes experienced a shift in motivation after the events in the book. Author Wes maintained high intrinsic motivation, sticking with military school, graduating, and becoming a paratrooper. In contrast, the other Wes Moore's extrinsic motivation for money led to his downfall, resulting in robbery and murder. Author Wes continued his motivated pursuit, realizing that happiness lies in following his passion. The other Wes succumbed to external pressures, resorting to extreme measures to achieve his goals.Overall, both Wes's journeys highlight the importance of intrinsic motivation in shaping one's path.
Both Wes Moores' in the memoir have different types of motivation. The author primarily had intrinsic motivation, especially when he attended military school, while the other Wes Moore was driven by money and external rewards. Ultimately, the author became successful and developed stronger morals compared to the other Wes Moore. Your drive can greatly influence your future outcomes.
Motivation: Intrinsic vs Extrinsic in The Other Wes Moore. (2016, Mar 07). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/the-other-wes-moore-book-analysis-essay
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