Question

Pick out the best example for intrinsic motivation.

• A. A teacher praising a student when she raises her hand
• B. Appreciating a graduate with honors
• C. Trying out for the high school basketball team
• D. Running a marathon to support cancer patients

Answer 1

Answer:

D. Running a marathon to support cancer patients

In psychology, intrinsic motivation is the drive to perform an action or behavior because it's enjoyable or interesting, rather than for an external reward or pressure: 

Here are some characteristics of intrinsic motivation: 

• Internal desire

  Intrinsic motivation is driven by internal desire, rather than external forces like praise or compensation. 

• Inherent satisfaction

  When intrinsically motivated, a person is driven by the fun or challenge of an activity, rather than by external rewards, pressures, or products. 

• Personal gratification

  Intrinsic motivation is the act of performing an action for the sake of personal gratification. 

Intrinsic motivation is a crucial concept in developmental psychology and is thought to be a key mechanism for open-ended cognitive development in humans. It can also improve team engagement by helping people create purpose and seek out activities that bring them joy.