Which statement best distinguishes intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and their impact on development?

• A. Intrinsic motivation arises from internal satisfaction; extrinsic motivation comes from external rewards; both influence engagement.
• B. Extrinsic motivation arises from internal satisfaction; intrinsic from external rewards.
• C. Motivation has no effect on development.
• D. Only intrinsic matters for learning.

Answer: (A)

Understanding how intrinsic and extrinsic motivation differ and how each shapes development through engagement is what this item tests. Intrinsic motivation arises from internal satisfaction—enjoyment, curiosity, and a sense of mastery—while extrinsic motivation comes from external rewards or pressures like grades, praise, or deadlines. Both influence engagement because what motivates someone to start and keep working affects effort, persistence, and how deeply they learn. Intrinsic motivation tends to foster deeper processing and long-term persistence because the activity itself is rewarding. Extrinsic motivation can boost initial engagement and help reach goals when rewards align with learning, but overreliance on external rewards can dampen intrinsic interest over time. The other statements either swap the sources of motivation, deny motivation's impact on development, or claim only one type matters, which aren’t accurate.