What is the primary distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic motivators in influencing behavior?

The primary distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic motivators lies in the *sourceof the motivation. Intrinsic motivation arises from internal sources, such as personal enjoyment, a sense of accomplishment, curiosity, or a feeling of purpose directly related to the task itself. For example, an artist who paints purely for the joy of creating is intrinsically motivated. Extrinsic motivation, on the other hand, comes from external sources unrelated to the task itself. These external motivators are often rewards or punishments, such as money, grades, praise, or the avoidance of negative consequences. An example of extrinsic motivation is a student studying hard solely to get a good grade, where the grade (external reward) is the driving force rather than an inherent interest in the subject matter. The key difference is whether the individual is driven by factors inherent to the activity (intrinsic) or by external consequences (extrinsic).