PSYC 361 Module #4: Self-Determination Theory

Operant conditioning

To increase the likelihood of a behavior being repeated, it should be immediately followed by the addition of a positive stimulus (i.e., reward) or the removal of a negative one

Quality of Motivation

Why we do something

Psychological need Fulfillment

How it makes us feel

Autonomous or self-determined motivation

includes motivation that comes from internal sources and feeling a full sense of volition, freedom and choice. Individuals feel self-directed

Controlled or non-self-determined motivation

Is comprised of external regulation—where individuals behave due to external rewards or fear of punishment. Individuals feel controlled

Intrinsic motivation

Is a drive to behave in certain ways based on internal drives – for own sake or personal rewards. For example: core values, interests, enjoyment and personal sense of morality.

Extrinsic Motivation

Is a drive to behave in certain ways based on external sources – to earn a reward or avoid punishment. For example: grades or evaluations, awards and accolades, and the respect/admiration of others.

Extrinsically motivated behavior can be both autonomous and controlled

If people internalize values or importance placed on extrinsic sources of motivation, they can be extrinsically motivated but also autonomously motivated

External Regulation

Compliance due to External and Punishments (Externally Extrinsic motivation) 

Introjected Regulation

Self control, ego involvement, internal rewards and punishments (Somewhat externally extrinsic motivation)

E.x. wanting to get a promotion to gain respect/admiration

Identified regulation

Personal importance, Conscious Valuing (Somewhat internal Extrinsic Motivation)

• Valuing the behaviour 

Integrated regulation

Congruence. Awareness. Synthesis with Self (Internal Extrinsic Motivation)

Amotivation

Non intentional, non valuing, Incompetence, lack of control

Not external source motiving a particular behaviour

• E.x. idk why I do it I just do it 

Lepper, Greene, & Nisbett (1973) [The Risk of Reward]

The Children who were told they were getting a reward spent les time playing with the markers 

The Children who weren't told about an reward spent more time 

• Due to them being focused on the task at hand

Warneken & Tomasello, 2008 [The Risk of Reward]

Children were still willing to continue to help when given praise

Children who received a reward only half of the children continued to help 

The motivation that underlie the goals we set impact our broader well-being

Intrinsic Goals

Examples: Physical Health, Self-Acceptance, Affiliation 

• Things that we set ourselves

Extrinsic Goals

Examples; Wealth, Fame, Beauty 

• Things we do due to external drives

Kasser & Ryan, 1996 (Life of Aspiration Study)

When people report more intrinsic goals they reported less depressive and physical symptoms 

Less actualized and vitality/energy. As well as more depressive and physical symptoms

Ryan, Kasser, Sheldon & Deci, (1996) [What You Pursue and Why You Pursue It]

Across three studies both the quality of motivation (autonomous motivation) and the content of goals (intrinsic goals) uniquely shaped wellbeing

• Both Quality and content matter

basic psychological needs (BPNs)

All humans have a basic set of needs that must be fulfilled for optimal psychological wellbeing, physical health, and innate growth tendencies to flourish

Autonomy (Basic Psychological Needs)

To act volitionally and in accordance with one’s own internal values and goals

• *Not independence or individualism vs. collectivism 

• The feeling of having control and making ones own choice

Competence (Basic Psychological Needs)

Sense of efficacy and competence in one’s context. Not just about having the skills, but opportunities to improve.

• Opportunity to challenge oneself and improve

Relatedness (Basic Psychological Needs)

Feeling cared for, connected to, and experiencing a sense of belonging with others.

• Enhanced by giving to them and matter in other peoples life

• Its a two way street feeling good by others and making others feel good

When psychological needs are met…

• Healthy development

• Psychological well-being

• Effective performance

When psychological needs are thwarted...

• Unhealthy development

• Lower wellbeing

Chirkov, Ryan, Kim, & Kaplan (2003) [Basic Psychological Need)

Within-Country Correlations of Basic Need Satisfaction with Subjective Well-Being

• This suggests that these basic needs are universally important

Intrinsic or more autonomous motivation likely

The more people perceive tasks as fulfilling psychological needs, the more the task is perceived as enjoyable

Extrinsic motivation or amotivation likely

The more people perceive tasks as thwarting their psychological needs, the more the task is perceived as unenjoyable

Milyavskaya & Koestner, 2011 (Basic Psychological needs)

When people experience greater need satisfaction, they felt more autonomous motivation 

Kanat-Matmon et al., 2015 (Basic Psychological needs)

When people feel their needs are interfered they are more likely to cheat 

When peoples feel their neets are met they are less likely to cheat 

What Does “basic” Psychological needs mean?

That the needs are innate

Extrinsically motivated Behaviour can be both…

Autonomous and Controlled

What is Undifferentiated motivation?

An Inferior predictor of important outcomes

Autonomous Motivation

Motivated by feeling a sense of volition

Intrinsic and Extrinsic motivations can be best described as:

Existing on a Continuum

Self Determination Theory was developed by:

Deci & Ryan

Accordingly to SDT, academic fraud occurs when…

People feel their psychological needs are undermined

Which type of reward led to kids spending the greatest amount of their free time playing with markers

Unexpected Reward

The best way to enhance Intrinsic motivation is to

Fulfill psychological needs