Which term describes a desire to perform a behavior to receive promised rewards or avoid threatened punishment?

• A. Extrinsic Motivation
• B. Intrinsic Motivation
• C. Social Motivation
• D. Moral Motivation

Answer: (A)

Extrinsic motivation is motivation driven by external rewards or the avoidance of punishment. When someone does something to get a promised reward or to avoid a threatened penalty, the trigger is outside the person, not coming from personal interest or curiosity. This contrasts with intrinsic motivation, where the activity itself is enjoyable or satisfying. The other types don’t fit because social motivation centers on gaining approval or belonging, and moral motivation involves acting based on ethical values rather than external incentives.