Achievement motivation can be best described as:

Achievement motivation is best understood as a drive to achieve goals for intrinsic satisfaction. This concept emphasizes the inner desire to pursue success and accomplish personal objectives, reflecting a focus on personal growth, mastery, and fulfilling one's own potential. Individuals with high achievement motivation are often motivated by the satisfaction and fulfillment they experience through their achievements rather than external rewards or recognition.

This approach encourages individuals to seek out challenges and strive for excellence because the act of achieving goals serves as its own reward. They find joy in the process of working towards and accomplishing their aims, which fosters resilience, persistence, and a strong work ethic. This intrinsic form of motivation is crucial for long-term engagement and self-improvement.

Other descriptions focus on external validation, competition, or fear of failure, which do not encapsulate the essence of achievement motivation as effectively as the drive for intrinsic satisfaction. Hence, the focus on personal fulfillment makes the first option the best definition of achievement motivation.