What is a primary goal of individuals who are malingering?

Individuals who are malingering primarily aim to obtain external rewards or benefits. Malingering refers to the deliberate fabrication or exaggeration of symptoms for personal gain, often involving incentives such as financial compensation, avoiding responsibilities, or gaining sympathy. The motivation behind this behavior is typically tied to achieving a specific benefit that is external to the individual, such as accessing insurance payments, obtaining medications, or excusing oneself from work or legal obligations.

The other options focus on psychological treatment, social validation, and medical credibility, which are not directly aligned with the primary motivations of those who malinger. Malingering is specifically characterized by the pursuit of tangible rewards rather than therapeutic or social recognition. Thus, obtaining external rewards or benefits is distinctly the primary goal of individuals engaged in malingering behavior.