Sujata participates eagerly in the dance competition only because she is…

Concept

Motivation to perform a task is classified by where it comes from. Intrinsic motivation drives behaviour through the internal satisfaction, curiosity, or enjoyment that the activity itself provides, with no outside reward needed. Extrinsic motivation drives behaviour through an outcome that is separate from the activity itself - money, a prize, grades, or praise - so the person's interest lies in the reward, not in the task.

Application

Sujata takes part in the dance competition only because she wants to win the cash prize. Her participation is tied entirely to that outside reward, not to any inherent enjoyment of dancing for its own sake - this is the defining signature of behaviour driven from outside the activity.

Contrasting the other options

• Dancing purely for the joy of it, with no prize attached, would show internal enjoyment driving her - but the stem ties her participation entirely to the cash prize, ruling this out.

• A goal of improving or mastering the dance skill for its own sake would show a focus on competence - the stem gives no such motive; it names only the prize.

• A drive to avoid losing or looking incompetent would show behaviour aimed at avoiding a negative outcome - the stem instead describes Sujata approaching a reward, not avoiding a failure.

Because Sujata's participation is driven solely by the external cash reward rather than the activity itself, she is extrinsically motivated.