Which of the following is an example of intrinsic motivation?

Concept

Motivation is the internal drive that energizes and directs behaviour. It is called intrinsic when the activity is performed for its own sake — for the inherent interest, enjoyment, curiosity or sense of satisfaction it brings, with no external reward or pressure. It is called extrinsic when the behaviour is driven by an outcome separate from the activity itself, such as praise, a prize, marks, or avoiding punishment.

Application

Examine what each behaviour is actually being done FOR. An activity counts as intrinsically motivated only when the source of satisfaction lies inside the activity itself, not in any consequence that follows it.

Playing a musical instrument for personal enjoyment is driven purely by the pleasure of the activity itself — there is no external reward, audience approval, or pressure attached. The enjoyment IS the goal, which is the defining mark of intrinsic motivation.

Contrast

• Completing a task to impress someone is driven by another person’s approval, an outcome outside the task — that is extrinsic.

• Acting in order to avoid being scolded is driven by escaping a negative consequence — again an external factor, so extrinsic.

• Taking part in an activity for prize money is driven by a tangible reward separate from the activity — also extrinsic.

Only the behaviour whose reward is the enjoyment of the activity itself is intrinsic; the other three each depend on an outcome external to the activity.