According to Renzulli, what is a key aspect of intrinsic motivation?

A key aspect of intrinsic motivation, as articulated by Renzulli, is engaging in tasks for personal satisfaction. This type of motivation is driven by internal desires such as curiosity, a love for learning, or the enjoyment found in the process of accomplishment. When learners are intrinsically motivated, they pursue activities not for external rewards or recognition, but because the tasks themselves are fulfilling or aligned with their interests and passions.

Intrinsic motivation fosters a deeper level of engagement and willingness to take on challenges, as individuals are more likely to persevere when they find the task rewarding in its own right. This is fundamental in gifted education, where encouraging students to pursue their interests can lead to enhanced learning and creativity. In contrast, approaches that rely on external rewards, compliance, or performance-focused outcomes are more aligned with extrinsic motivation, which does not cultivate the same depth of engagement and personal satisfaction.