Which motivation best describes performing a behavior because it is enjoyable or satisfying in its own right?

• A. External regulation
• B. Introjected regulation
• C. Identified regulation
• D. Intrinsic motivation

Answer: (D)

Intrinsic motivation is the drive to do something for its own sake, because the activity is enjoyable or satisfying by itself. When someone engages in a behavior simply because they find it pleasurable or rewarding in the moment, that is intrinsic motivation. The other forms involve doing the behavior for reasons outside the activity’s own enjoyment: external regulation relies on rewards or punishments from others; introjected regulation comes from internal pressures like guilt or ego; identified regulation involves valuing the outcome and personally endorsing the goal, even if the activity isn’t inherently enjoyable. So, performing a behavior because it is enjoyable or satisfying in its own right best fits intrinsic motivation.