FAA Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI)Human Behavior and Effective CommunicationHard
A student pilot spends extra hours studying aerodynamics purely because she finds the subject genuinely fascinating and enjoys the satisfaction of mastering it, with no external reward, grade, or requirement driving her effort. This best illustrates which type of motivation?
- ANegative motivation
- BPositive reinforcement
- CExtrinsic motivation
- DIntrinsic motivation
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Intrinsic motivation
Intrinsic motivation arises from internal satisfaction, curiosity, or personal enjoyment of an activity itself, rather than from external rewards or pressures. Her studying is driven purely by internal interest, making it intrinsic.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Negative motivation relies on fear of unpleasant consequences, not present in this scenario.
- B. Positive reinforcement is an operant conditioning term for rewarding a behavior, not a type of internal motivation.
- C. Extrinsic motivation depends on external rewards or consequences, none of which are present here.
Intrinsic Motivation
Motivation that comes from within a person, driven by personal interest, enjoyment, or satisfaction in the activity itself rather than external rewards.
- Produces deeper, more durable learning engagement
- Contrasts with extrinsic motivation (external rewards/pressures)
- Instructors try to foster intrinsic motivation for lasting learning
Memory trick: 'Intrinsic = Inside' — the drive comes from within.