Which term describes motivation to engage in activities for inherent satisfaction?

• A. Intrinsic Motivation
• B. Extrinsic Motivation
• C. Motivation
• D. Incentive Theory

Answer: (A)

When the drive to do something comes from the enjoyment, interest, or personal value found in the activity itself, that is intrinsic motivation. It explains why someone engages in a task for the sheer pleasure or satisfaction it provides, not because of any outside reward or pressure. For example, solving puzzles because you genuinely enjoy the challenge or reading out of curiosity shows intrinsic motivation.

This differs from extrinsic motivation, which rests on external rewards or punishments like grades, money, or praise. The broader term motivation doesn’t specify where the drive comes from, and incentive theory focuses on external incentives as the push behind behavior rather than the internal satisfaction. So the description in the question best matches intrinsic motivation.