Which of the following is an intrinsic motivator for a student?

An intrinsic motivator refers to an internal drive that encourages a person to perform an activity for its own sake, rather than for some external reward. In the context of education, intrinsic motivation might stem from a student’s internal desire to learn, master a skill, or achieve personal goals.

A deep desire to achieve represents a powerful intrinsic motivator because it originates from within the student. This kind of motivation is tied to personal satisfaction and the fulfillment that comes from accomplishing tasks and making progress. When students are driven by their own desire to succeed, they are typically more engaged, persistent, and focused on their learning objectives. This often leads to a more profound understanding of the material and a stronger sense of personal accomplishment.

In contrast, the other options involve external incentives or motivations. A pay raise and earning vacation time are examples of extrinsic motivators, where the motivation stems from tangible rewards that are unrelated to the satisfaction of the learning process itself. Similarly, while the desire to show others they could succeed may suggest a personal drive, it primarily centers on external perception and validation rather than internal fulfillment. Thus, it does not align with the definition of intrinsic motivation as closely as the deep desire to achieve does.