autotelic

Autotelic describes a person or activity that is pursued for its own sake, rather than for external rewards or consequences. The term combines Greek auto- “self” and telos “goal,” literally meaning self-end or self-goal. In psychology, autotelic motivation is often contrasted with exotelic motivation, in which actions are driven by external incentives such as praise, money, or recognition.

In the context of flow theory, autotelic experiences are intrinsically rewarding: the activity is engaging enough to absorb attention, provide a sense of control, and be pursued for its own enjoyment rather than for an external payoff. People or activities characterized as autotelic tend to derive satisfaction from the process itself, experience time distortion, and maintain focus even in challenging situations. Autotelic individuals are commonly described as self-directed, curious, and able to find value in tasks that may be tedious to others.

Autotelic tendencies can be viewed as a trait-like disposition or as a state dependent on context. Some people consistently approach activities with internal goals and a sense of worth derived from the activity, while others may become autotelic only under particular conditions, such as meaningful feedback or optimal challenge. This concept is relevant to education, job design, and creativity, where environments that emphasize autonomy, mastery, and purpose aim to cultivate autotelic engagement.

Limitations include questions about measurement and variability across tasks and cultures. Autotelic motivation is not universally applicable to all activities, and some tasks may be valued differently by individuals or settings.