FAA Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI)The Teaching Process and MethodsHard
A student pilot tells her flight instructor, 'I don't really care about the certificate itself—I just love the feeling of mastering a new skill and becoming a safer, more confident pilot.' This statement best reflects which type of motivation?
- AIntrinsic motivation
- BExtrinsic motivation
- CPositive motivation
- DNegative motivation
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Intrinsic motivation
Intrinsic motivation comes from internal rewards, such as personal satisfaction, pride, and self-fulfillment, rather than from external rewards like certificates, money, or approval from others.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Extrinsic motivation comes from external rewards, which the student explicitly says she doesn't care about.
- C. Positive motivation is a broader category that can be either intrinsic or extrinsic; the scenario specifically describes an internal drive.
- D. Negative motivation involves fear of unpleasant consequences, not personal satisfaction.
Intrinsic Motivation
Motivation that comes from within the individual, driven by personal satisfaction, curiosity, or a sense of achievement rather than external rewards.
- Contrasts with extrinsic motivation, which relies on outside rewards or pressures
- Tends to produce more durable, self-sustained learning
- Instructors foster it by connecting lessons to personal goals and interests
Memory trick: PIN-E: Positive, Intrinsic, Negative, Extrinsic