What type of motivation relies on rewards or punishments?

The concept of motivation that relies on rewards or punishments is best captured by instrumental motivation. This type of motivation is founded on external factors, where behavior is influenced by the desire to achieve specific outcomes, such as rewards for positive performance or the avoidance of negative consequences.

In this context, individuals are motivated to act not purely for the enjoyment or fulfillment derived from the activity itself, as seen in intrinsic motivation, but rather for the external benefits they expect to gain or the penalties they wish to avoid. This approach creates a clear link between actions and results, which can effectively drive behavior in situations such as workplace performance, educational settings, or behavioral modification.

Other types of motivation listed do not revolve around external incentives in the same way. Intrinsic motivation relates to engaging in activities for their own sake, autonomous motivation emphasizes self-direction and personal choice, and self-generated motivation focuses on internal drivers rather than external influences. Therefore, understanding instrumental motivation is crucial for recognizing how external incentives can shape behavior.