Which example demonstrates extrinsic motivation?

• A. Babysitting your sibling to get paid
• B. Studying because you enjoy learning
• C. Volunteering to help others without pay
• D. Exercising for personal health

Answer: (A)

Extrinsic motivation shows up when the reason for doing something is an external reward or consequence, not the inherent enjoyment of the activity. Babysitting your sibling to get paid fits this idea because the primary incentive is money—the external reward—rather than a desire to babysit itself.

Studying because you enjoy learning is driven by internal satisfaction, which is intrinsic motivation. Volunteering to help others without pay is typically driven by personal values or a desire to contribute, also intrinsic. Exercising for personal health is about a personal goal and self-improvement, another form of intrinsic motivation.

So the example that best demonstrates extrinsic motivation is the one tied to earning money.