Self Determination Theory - Deci and Ryan 1985

Self-determination = refers to a person’s own ability to manage themselves, to make confident choices and to think on their own

• the process or result of engaging in behaviours without interference or undue influence from other people or external demands.

• refers particularly to behaviours that improve one’s circumstances (decision making, problem solving, self-management, self-instruction, and self-advocacy)

• if a behaviour is purely self-determined, there is a very high chance that it will be both intrinsically driven and that the behaviour is done not for the reward or prize, but for self-satisfaction, interest, and enjoyment for the behaviour itself

• non-self determined behaviours are only performed because they have to get done, leading to a lack of control given the behaviour is not done willingly

Self Determination Theory = Focuses on the relationship between the extrinsic forces acting on persons and the intrinsic motive and needs of human beings.

• Deci and Ryan (1985) believed that the need for growth drives human behaviour as people always actively seek to grow and improve therefore self-determination theory is concerned with the motivation behind the decisions that people make without external influence

• emphasizes the importance of intrinsic motivation for producing healthy adjustment

• negative outcomes ensue when people feel that they are driven mainly by external forces and extrinsic rewards

• People are driven by 3 innate and universal psychological needs, and that personal well-being is a direct function of the satisfaction of these basic psychological needs.

The Self-Determination Continuum

• Self determination theory describes a continuum, in which goals may be pursued for different reasons

• individuals can act with different motivations, however, they may have different implication for performance and well-being

Amotivation = a lack or absence of drive to engage in an activity. Neither extrinsically nor intrinsically driven.

• an individual may perceive themselves as being incompetent at a task and have little motivation to complete it because of this

Extrinsic motivation = is an external incentive to engage in a specific activity, especially motivation arising from the expectation of punishment or reward.

• rewards reduce self-determination/intrinsic motivation as they reduce autonomy

• over justification effect = motivation is controlled by external forces; motivation can be decreased by giving people an external reward for something they enjoy doing

Types of Extrinsic Motivation:

1. External Regulation - least autonomous. Behaviours are displayed to satisfy an external demand or obtain and externally imposed reward.

2. Introjection Regulation - external forces still quite controlling. People perform actions with the feeling of pressure in order to avoid guilt or anxiety or to attain self-esteem.

3. Identification Regulation - more autonomous/self-determined. Person has identified with the personal importance of a behaviour and accepted regulation as their own responsibility.

4. Integration Regulation - most autonomous form of extrinsic motivation. The person has fully accepted that the extrinsic motivation benefits align with their beliefs/values and goals/needs. (shares many qualities with intrinsic motivation, however is still extrinsic because the behaviour is motivated by the value or outcome).

Intrinsic motivation = is an internal incentive to engage in a specific activity that comes from pleasure in the activity itself.

• driven by external factors, such as interest, excitement, joy or pleasure at completion of a task.

• involves doing an activity for the inherent satisfaction of the activity itself and an inner desire for self-satisfaction arising from achieving a specific goal

Psychological Needs for Motivation

Autonomy = Is the need to feel self-governed and independent.

• people need to feel in control of their behaviour, goals, and therefore their own life. (based on the understanding that people are empowered when they feel a sense of choice and endorsement in a task - their actions are volitional)

• can be increased by providing choice and encourage own decision making.

Competence = Is the need to be effective in dealing with the environment.

• people are competent when they have sufficient qualities or abilities to perform a given task or to describe the state of having sufficient intellect, judgement, skill and strength.

• humans want to feel equipped with skills and be able to understand things

• can be met by receiving positive feedback, and by being given tasks that are challenging but not overwhelming

Relatedness = Is need to experience a sense of belonging, connection and attachment to other people.

• competition reduces relatedness

• we want to be cared for by others, care for others, and feel needed by others

Strengths of SDT:

• has many uses including in the workplace

• supported with a range of evidence

• has been found to be applicable cross-culturally

Limitations of SDT:

• may not be able to determine individual differences in the basic psychological needs

• doesn’t reveal a heavy focus on adolescents and therefore adolescent’s perceptions about basic psychological needs satisfaction should be researched further

• lacks falsifiability (we can imagine what would make it false and test this)