Intrinsic motivation is primarily characterized by what aspect?

Intrinsic motivation is primarily characterized by personal satisfaction derived from work. This form of motivation comes from within an individual, driven by the enjoyment or fulfillment one finds in completing a task or engaging in an activity. When someone is intrinsically motivated, they are typically engaged in the work for its own sake rather than for some external reward or recognition.

For instance, an individual might feel an inherent sense of accomplishment when mastering a new skill or discovering a solution to a problem, which reinforces their motivation to continue pursuing related tasks. This contrasts sharply with external motivators, such as financial incentives or peer recognition, which can influence behavior but do not provide the same deep-rooted satisfaction that intrinsic motivation does. Understanding intrinsic motivation is crucial in fields like vocational rehabilitation, as fostering this type of motivation can lead to greater persistence and engagement in work-related activities.