Final answer:
An intrinsic reward is personal acknowledgment that is internally motivated. The example of an intrinsic reward from the given options is a manager's verbal praise to a subordinate. Such rewards play a pivotal role in job satisfaction and can also drive motivations for joining groups or engaging in hard work.
Step-by-step explanation:
An intrinsic reward is a form of personal acknowledgment that comes from within an individual rather than from external sources. Based on the options provided, the example of an intrinsic reward from a manager to a subordinate would be saying, "You really pulled off a difficult project." This statement serves as verbal praise and recognition of the subordinate's hard work and accomplishment, which can enhance the individual's intrinsic motivation and job satisfaction.
An example from a workplace scenario would be a businessman who comforts himself with the idea that hard work is its own reward, indicating that the satisfaction from his efforts is more rewarding than external incentives such as a raise. Similarly, motivations for joining a group can include solidary benefits, such as the pleasure of interacting with like-minded individuals or showing support for a cause, which are inherently non-material rewards.
Research has shown that the most strongly predictive factor of overall job satisfaction is not financial rewards, but other factors like autonomy and the nature of the work itself. Purposive incentives, such as those leading individuals to join groups like the ACLU or the Union of Concerned Scientists, appeal to someone's concern about a cause and can serve as an intrinsic motivator as well.