intrinsic motivation

Meanings

nounintrinsic motivation (countable and uncountable, plural intrinsic motivations)

countableuncountablehuman sciencesThe incentive to undertake an activity based on the expected enjoyment of the activity itself, rather than external benefits that might result.

Catalan motivació intrínseca

motivació intrínsecaThe incentive to do something based on the expected enjoyment of the activity itself

Chinese Mandarin 內在動機 /内在动机

內在動機 /内在动机 (nèizài dòngjī)The incentive to do something based on the expected enjoyment of the activity itself

Finnish sisäinen motivaatio, luontainen motivaatio

sisäinen motivaatioThe incentive to do something based on the expected enjoyment of the activity itself
luontainen motivaatioThe incentive to do something based on the expected enjoyment of the activity itself

French motivation intrinsèque

motivation intrinsèqueThe incentive to do something based on the expected enjoyment of the activity itself

German intrinsische Motivation

intrinsische MotivationThe incentive to do something based on the expected enjoyment of the activity itself

Polish wewnętrzna motywacja

wewnętrzna motywacjaThe incentive to do something based on the expected enjoyment of the activity itself

Spanish motivación intrínseca

motivación intrínsecaThe incentive to do something based on the expected enjoyment of the activity itself

Thai แรงจูงใจภายใน

แรงจูงใจภายใน (rɛɛng-juung-jai-paai-nai)The incentive to do something based on the expected enjoyment of the activity itself

Cite this entry

APA

intrinsic motivation. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/intrinsic%20motivation

MLA

“intrinsic motivation.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/intrinsic%20motivation. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “intrinsic motivation,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/intrinsic%20motivation.