Which type of motivation describes performing an action to obtain an outcome that is external to the person?

• A. Extrinsic Motivation
• B. Intrinsic Motivation
• C. Instincts
• D. Drive

Answer: (A)

Extrinsic motivation describes performing an action to obtain an outcome external to the person, such as a reward, praise, or avoiding punishment. When you study mainly to earn a high grade or to receive recognition, the motivation comes from something outside yourself, not from enjoying the activity itself. By contrast, intrinsic motivation would be doing the task for internal satisfaction or interest. Instincts refer to automatic, inherited patterns of behavior triggered by the environment, not deliberate pursuit of external goals. Drive involves internal states like hunger or thirst that push you to act to restore balance. So the scenario described aligns with extrinsic motivation because the action is driven by an external outcome.