Extrinsic Motivation is defined as which of the following?

• A. Spontaneous curiosity
• B. The inherited tendency to seek out challenges
• C. Performance of activity only to attain some outcome
• D. A deep personal interest in learning

Answer: (C)

Extrinsic motivation means doing something to obtain an external outcome or reward, rather than for the activity itself. The option that says performing the activity only to attain some outcome fits this idea best because the driver is the external result—like a grade, praise, money, or avoiding punishment. In contrast, choices describing spontaneous curiosity or deep personal interest reflect intrinsic motivation, where the activity is rewarding in itself. The idea of an inherited tendency to seek out challenges isn’t a standard description of extrinsic motivation and doesn’t capture the reward-driven aspect. For example, studying to earn a good grade is extrinsic; studying because you genuinely enjoy the subject is intrinsic.