C3.2.3 Self-determination theory

  • Self-Determination Theory explains how and why people are motivated and how it affects performance

  • Motivation ranges from low self-determination (controlled by others), to high self-determination (self-driven, for personal enjoyment/values).

    • From amotivation to intrinsic motivation

  • Intrinsic motivation is the most self-determined form of motivation, but the stage before this is integrated regulation, which, although it is still autonomous extrinsic, is closely aligned with an individual’s values, as they believe they need to take part, as it forms part of their identity

Self-Determination Theory Model

  • Annotivation

    • No motivation at all

    • Example: an athlete doesnt see the point in training

  • Controlled Intrinsic Motivation

    • Behaviour driven by outside pressures or rewards

    • External regulation: Doing it to avoid punishment or get a reward

    • Introjected regulation: Doing it because of guilt, pressure or pride

  • Autonomous Extrinsic Motivation

    • Still external, but the athlete has taken it on their own choice

    • Identified regulation: Recognising the value (e.g. training because you know it improves fitness)

    • Integrated regulation: Fully accepting it is a part of identity (e.g. I train because being an athlete is who I am)

  • Intrinsic Motivation

    • Doing it for pure enjoyment, satisfaction, or love of the sport

    • Example: Playing football because it’s fun and exciting

SDT and psychological needs

Autonomy

  • Wanting to make your own choices and feel in control of what you do

  • Sporting example: choose to exercise because you enjoy it, not because someone else tells you to

Competence

  • Wanting to feel skilled and capable of achieving success

  • Improving at shooting in basketball or learning a new move in gymnastics

Realtedness

  • Wanting to feel connected, valued, and part of a group

  • Playing on a team and feeling supported and accepted by your teammates

The six main sub-theories

1. CET - Cognitive Evaluation Theory

  • Concerned with intrinsic motivation and how people engage in activities when they enjoy them. Two important factors are autonomy and competence.

  • Positive, informational feedback = “I’m improving, I’m capable” motivation goes up

  • Controlling rewards = "I’m only doing this for the prize, motivation goes down

  • Three external events can affect intrinsic motivation:

    • Social environment: provides info on how well one is doing in sports, which can affect motivation

    • Controlling events, such as rewards, makes people feel controlled by others, which can decrease intrinsic motivation

    • Amotivating events: negative performance feedback results in feelings of incompetence and decreases intrinsic motivation

2. OIT - Organismic Integration Theory

  • Describes how external motivations can become more internalised. The social context is important - how others affect the motivation of an athlete

  • External regulation: controlled by outside forces

  • Introjected regulation: motivated by guilt/shame

  • Identified regulation: personal importance, but still for a reward/outcome

  • Integrated regulation: aligned with personal values

3. COT - Cassality Orientations Theory

  • Focuses on the individual differences in how people orient themselves toward goals to motivate themselves, and how people interpret the causes of their behaviour:

  • Autonomy orientation: motivated by interest/values, actions are self-driven and meaningful

  • Control orientation: motivated by rewards/approval. See actions as driven by external demands

    • Motivation tends to be external or introjected

  • Ammotivation/impersonal orientation: see actions as beyond personal control, often a lack of motivation, and linked to doubt about competence, which can lead to low self-esteem

  • The more exposed an individual is to these environments, the more likely they are to develop autonomy orientation, controlled orientation and impersonal orientation. This describes individual differences in how people tend to motivate themselves

4. BPNT - Basic Psychological Needs Theory

  • States’ well-being and personal growth depend on satisfying three universal needs to achieve intrinsic motivation

5. GCT - Goal Contents Theory

Differentiates between types of goals to satisfy or frustrate basic needs for psychological health

  • Intrinsic goals (growth, relationships, community, health)

  • Extrinsic goals (money, fame, image)

6. RMT - Relationships Motivation Theory

  • Focuses on relatedness as a fundamental need. Emphasises the significance of autonomy and competence for relationships to develop and support health and wellbeing

  • Highlights the importance of positive relationships and social connections

  • Supportive relationships are essential for psychological health