Which type of motivation is driven by the desire for internal gratification?

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Prepare for the UCF PSY2012 General Psychology Final! Use flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Ace your exam!

Intrinsic motivation is characterized by the pursuit of activities for their own sake, driven by internal rewards such as personal satisfaction, enjoyment, or a sense of accomplishment. When individuals engage in an activity because they find it interesting or fulfilling, they are experiencing intrinsic motivation.

This type of motivation contrasts with extrinsic motivation, where an individual is driven to perform a task due to external rewards or pressures, such as money, grades, or approval from others. Biological motivation focuses on basic drives related to survival, such as hunger or thirst. Cognitive motivation involves mental processes and thought patterns but does not specifically emphasize internal gratification in the same way that intrinsic motivation does.

Therefore, intrinsic motivation is the most accurate answer, as it is fundamentally linked to the feelings of contentment and personal fulfillment that stem from engaging in activities that resonate with the individual's interests and values.