reading - self determination theory

Introduction

Self-Determination Theory (SDT) explores how social conditions influence human motivation and psychological development.

• focuses on intrinsic motivation, self-regulation, and well-being, proposing three innate psychological needs

  • competence, autonomy, and relatedness (meaingful interactions)

    • when satisfied, enhance self-motivation and mental health

• SDT integrates traditional empirical methods with an organismic metatheory, emphasizing humans' inherent growth tendencies.

Nature of Motivation

• Motivation varies in quality, from intrinsic (driven by inherent satisfaction) to extrinsic (driven by external rewards or pressures).

• SDT differentiates types of extrinsic motivation based on their degree of internalization and autonomy.

• Autonomous motivation (e.g., identified or integrated regulation) is linked to better performance, persistence, and well-being compared to controlled motivation (e.g., external or introjected regulation).

Intrinsic Motivation

Intrinsic motivation, the natural tendency to seek challenges and learn, thrives under conditions supporting autonomy and competence.

Cognitive Evaluation Theory (CET), a subtheory of SDT, explains how social-contextual factors like rewards, feedback, and choice affect intrinsic motivation.

• For example, positive feedback enhances intrinsic motivation, whereas tangible rewards can undermine it.

Self-Regulation of Extrinsic Motivation

• Organismic Integration Theory (OIT), another SDT subtheory, describes how extrinsic motivations can become internalized and autonomous.

  • process depends on supports for relatedness, competence, and autonomy

• Describes continuum of motivation:

  • External → Introjected → Identified → Integrated

• More internalized regulation = better well-being and performance

Applications

• SDT has practical implications across domains like education, workplace, health care, and psychotherapy.

  • For instance, autonomy-supportive teaching enhances student engagement, while supportive work environments improve employee performance and well-being.

  • SDT also informs interventions aimed at fostering long-term behavior change and mental health.

• When needs are met, individuals are more creative, persistent, and engaged

Psychological Needs and Mental Health

• Research shows that environments thwarting these needs lead to diminished motivation and mental health.

• e.g. autonomy-supportive parenting predicts better internalization of values in children, while controlling environments correlate with poorer outcomes.

conclusion

• SDT provides a comprehensive framework for understanding human motivation and well-being.

• By emphasizing innate psychological needs and the role of social contexts, it offers insights into how to foster intrinsic motivation, autonomous self-regulation, and lasting happiness.