Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation

Motivation is a crucial aspect of human behavior, influencing how individuals set and pursue goals. Psychologists often distinguish between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation refers to engaging in a behavior because it is inherently interesting or enjoyable, whereas extrinsic motivation involves completing a task to earn rewards or avoid punishment. Consider a student who continues to study hard not only to perform well on exams but also because they genuinely love learning the subject matter.

In this context, which type of motivation best describes the student’s behavior when they choose to study because they find the material fascinating?