In humans, intrinsic motivation is not the only form of motivation, or even
of volition activity, but it is a pervasive and important one. From birth
onward, humans, in their healthiest states, are active, inquisitive, curious,
and playful creatures, displaying a ubiquitous readiness to learn and explore,
and they do not require extraneous incentives to do so. This natural motivational
tendency is a critical element in cognitive, social, and physical development
because it is through acting on one’s inherent interests that one grows
in knowledge and skills. The inclinations to take interest in novelty, to actively
assimilate, and to creatively apply our skills is not limited to childhood,
but is a significant feature of human nature that affects performance, persistence,
and well-being across life’s epochs (Ryan & LaGuardia, in press).