Self-Determination Theory

• Intrinsic motivators - doing an activity for the inherent satisfaction of the activity itself
  • fear of failure
  • desire to do one’s best
  • self-concept
  • desire for knowledge
  • satisfaction of meeting goals
  • enjoyment of a challenge
  • feeling of pride
• Extrinsic motivators - doing something to attain some separable outcome
  • parental approval
  • promotion at work
  • grades
  • peer group status
  • reputation
  • competition with sibling
  • money
  • praise
• autonomy, belonging, and competence are innate motivators
• Self-Determination Theory
  • theory that explains growth motivated aspects of motivation and personality integration
  • intrinsic motivation is the result of three basic innate psychological needs
  • need for self-determination (autonomy)
  • need for relatedness (belonging): need to establish close emotional bonds and attachments with other people
  • need for competence
• autonomy supportive environments
  • emphasize individual needs, interest, goals
  • encourage choice and initiative
  • provides rationales explaining
  • value, utility, meaning of activities
  • why rules and limits are necessary
  • provide positive feedback about successes and improvements
  • help individuals self-diagnose weaknesses with clear, unbiased criteria
• need for competence
  • satisfaction of the need for competence is a foundation for:
  • experiencing intrinsic motivation
  • task choice, effort, and persistence
  • how does competence feedback affect motivation?
  • feedback that diminishes perceived competence undermines intrinsic motivation
  • vice versa
• need for relatedness
  • makes intrinsic motivation more likely
  • enhances student engagement and well-being
  • helps create a caring classroom climate
• variations in extrinsic motivation
  • on a continuum
  • slog
  • external regulation
  • least self-determined -- someone else is the reason we’re acting
  • not that interested in the task
  • compliance
  • external rewards and punishments
  • introjected regulation
  • self-control
  • internal rewards and punishment
  • identified regulation and integrated regulation - more intrinsic, of personal importance

\