Motivation Source Assessment: Discover Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Drivers
Determines whether motivation is intrinsic or extrinsic using scenario-based questions.
The Motivation Source Assessment is a scenario-based quiz in the Life Purpose and Values category that helps you determine whether your actions are driven more by intrinsic motivation or extrinsic motivation. Using real-life scenarios and clear response options, this test (Motivation Source Assessment) reveals whether you act from internal values — such as personal growth, curiosity, or meaning — or from external rewards like approval, money, or status. This assessment is ideal for personal development, career planning, and strengthening life purpose.
This test combines evidence-based question design with clear scoring to give you actionable insight. By identifying your dominant motivation style, you can align goals, relationships, and daily habits with what truly matters to you. Take the Motivation Source Assessment now to increase self-awareness, refine your values, and begin building a more purpose-driven life.
You receive an interesting but unpaid opportunity to work on a project that aligns with your values. What do you do?
This scenario tests whether you prioritize personal meaning or external rewards.
When helping a friend, what motivates you most?
Assess whether internal compassion or external expectations drive helping behavior.
You set a fitness goal. What keeps you consistent?
This question distinguishes internal drive from reward-based motivation.
At work, what makes a project feel worthwhile to you?
Evaluates whether meaning or external gains define work satisfaction.
How do you choose long-term goals?
Checks whether goals stem from inner purpose or external benchmarks.
When learning a new skill, what keeps you engaged?
Distinguishes curiosity-driven learning from reward-driven learning.
How do you react to feedback?
Analyzes whether improvement is driven by internal standards or external approval.
When choosing between two options, which factor carries most weight?
Examines whether internal alignment or external benefit is decisive.
You have limited free time—what do you choose to do?
Shows whether free time is used for intrinsic satisfaction or external-driven tasks.
What ultimately defines success for you?
Captures whether success is internally defined or externally measured.
Frequently asked questions
The Motivation Source Assessment measures whether your actions are primarily driven by intrinsic motivation (internal values, interest, personal growth) or extrinsic motivation (external rewards, recognition, status). It uses scenario-based questions to identify your dominant motivational sources.
Each answer has a numeric value. The quiz sums the values of your selected options to produce a total score. Positive totals indicate intrinsic motivation, negative totals indicate extrinsic motivation, and values near zero suggest a mix of both.
The quiz contains 10 scenario-based multiple-choice questions and typically takes 5–10 minutes to complete, depending on how much time you spend reflecting on each scenario.
Yes — you can retake the assessment whenever you like. Retaking after a few weeks or after significant life changes can reveal shifts in your motivation patterns and help you track your progress toward aligning actions with your values and life purpose.
Yes. The Motivation Source Assessment is useful for coaches and individuals exploring career choices, values clarification, and personal development. The results help identify motivational strengths and areas to cultivate for a more purpose-driven life.
Results provide an evidence-informed guideline for understanding motivation but are not a clinical diagnosis. Use them as a starting point for reflection, discussion with a coach, or further self-assessment.
If you score intrinsically, double down on autonomy, mastery, and purpose-driven projects. If you score extrinsically, explore ways to add meaning to tasks and reduce reliance on external validation. For mixed results, try experiments that emphasize intrinsic rewards and observe what increases satisfaction and persistence.
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