The Influence of Intrinsic Motivation on the Learning Achievement of Ninth Grade Students in Public Junior High Schools in Banten Province

This study aims to analyze the relationship between intrinsic motivation and the learning achievement of ninth-grade students in public junior high schools across Banten Province. Intrinsic motivation is conceptualized as the internal drive that encourages students to learn based on interest, curiosity, and personal satisfaction. Using a quantitative correlational design, the study involved 49 students from nine schools located in Serang Regency, Serang City, and Cilegon City. Intrinsic motivation data were collected using a Likert-scale questionnaire, while learning achievement data were taken from midterm exam scores in Mathematics and Indonesian Language. The results showed that students’ intrinsic motivation was categorized as high (M = 4.19), whereas learning achievement was in the very good category (M = 86.58). Spearman’s rho analysis indicated a strong and significant positive correlation between intrinsic motivation and learning achievement (ρ = 0.647, p < 0.001). These findings highlight the importance of instructional strategies that support autonomy, competence, and student interest to foster sustained improvements in academic achievement.