Intrinsic Motivation in Learning

Motivation is a fundamental concept in psychology that explains why individuals behave in certain ways. It can be categorized into intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation refers to engaging in behavior for its own sake and personal satisfaction, while extrinsic motivation involves participating in an activity to achieve an external reward or avoid a negative consequence.

Consider a student who studies hard for a placement exam. Their motivation could be based on personal enjoyment of learning (intrinsic) or the goal of achieving a high score to secure a good job (extrinsic). Understanding these types of motivation can help psychologists evaluate behaviors and predict future actions.

Based on this context, which of the following statements best identifies the behavior of the student who is studying hard for the placement exam primarily because they enjoy learning?