According to self-determination theory individuals can be either intrinsically motivated (do something because it is inherently interesting) or extrinsically motivated (do something because it leads to a separable outcome), writes Ivanka Pjesivac, of University of Georgia. The study explores these motivations among journalism students in Serbia and tests their impact on the willingness to work in journalism.

The article is based on a web-based survey conducted at four main journalism programs in Serbia.

The results show that the willingness of Serbian students to work in journalism is rather high and both intrinsic and extrinsic motivations have a remarkable impact on this willingness. However, the extrinsic motivation of achievement of public goals was the strongest predictor.

Also, the author notes, having experience in journalism moderated the relationship between perceived job creativity and willingness to work in journalism by changing the direction of the relationship. In Serbia political and economic pressures on journalists are common: young people might come to study journalism motivated by idealistic expectations, but get disappointed.

The article “What moves young people to journalism in a transitional country? Intrinsic and extrinsic motivations for working in journalism in Serbia” was published by Journalism and is available here (abstract public).

Picture: UNIVERSITY_OF_THE_FRASER_VALLEY_PHOTOGRAPHY by University of the Fraser Valley, licence: CC BY 2.0