What is extrinsic motivation?

Extrinsic motivation refers to the driving force behind behaviors that are influenced by external rewards or incentives. This means that an individual is motivated to perform a task not for the inherent enjoyment or satisfaction found in the activity itself, but rather for outcomes that exist outside of the activity, such as money, praise, grades, or other tangible rewards.

In the context of this question, engagement influenced by external rewards clearly captures the essence of extrinsic motivation. It emphasizes the role that these external factors play in encouraging individuals to act in a certain way. For example, a student may study hard not because they find the subject interesting, but because they want to achieve good grades or parental approval. This indicates that the motivation is rooted in benefits that are outside of the individual's internal desires or interests.

On the other hand, the other choices highlight aspects related to intrinsic motivation or personal development, which focus on internal drives, fulfillment, or self-actualization, rather than being linked to external rewards.