Self-Determination Theory and Participation Motivation in Physical Activity

Course Context: KIN 4520: Psycho-social Aspects of Physical Activity focusing on Self-Determination Theory & Participation Motivation.
The Energy of Behavior: SDT seeks to explain why individuals exercise or refrain from exercising. It explores the underlying "energy" that drives behavior through prompts such as: - "I exercise because…" - "I don't exercise because…"
Key Theoretical Figures: The theory was developed by social psychologists Edward Deci and Richard Ryan.

Growth Oriented: The theory assumes that people are naturally growth-oriented and seek out opportunities to develop themselves.
Motivation and Internalization: - There are different types of motivation and regulation based on underlying motives and the level of internalization. - Personal growth is directly dependent on the specific type of motivation an individual possesses.
Basic Psychological Needs: - SDT explains when a person experiences different types of motivation based on the satisfaction of three core psychological needs. - These needs are essential to both motivation and overall well-being.
Role of the Social Environment: - The environment can either support or thwart basic psychological needs. - Motivational Climate: This concept refers to how the theory is applied and how an environment can be constructed to explain and influence the motivation of those within it.

Intrinsic Motivation: - This is the highest level of motivation. - Motivation is internally generated. - Outcomes include: Satisfaction, enjoyment, interest, competence, desire to persist, seeking out optimal challenges, flow states, and heightened feelings of well-being. - It is considered the "healthiest form" of motivation.
Higher Forms of Extrinsic Regulation (Self-Determined Extrinsic): - Integrated Regulation: Regulations are adopted into one’s values and needs but remain contingent upon a reward. Behaviors are congruent with "self-systems" and rewards are embedded within value systems. - Regulation Through Identification (Identification Regulation): Behavior is personally important but still contingent upon an external reward. The reward is deemed important by the individual.
Lower Forms of Extrinsic Regulation (Non-Self-Determined Extrinsic): - Introjected Regulation (Ego): Behaviors are not fully accepted as one's own. Participation is regulated by social approval or self-worth (either gaining it or avoiding its loss). There is a distinct "lack of buy-in." - External Regulation (Operant Conditioning): Behaviors are performed solely to satisfy an external demand or to obtain a external benefit/reward.
Amotivation: - Characterized by a complete lack of intent to act.

Three Basic Psychological Needs: - Autonomy Satisfaction: The desire to be self-regulating of personal behavior. - Competence Satisfaction: The desire to interact effectively within an environment. - Relatedness Satisfaction: The desire to engage in reciprocal social relationships.
Social Psychology Roots: - These needs are considered essential for optimal human functioning. - Universal Hypothesis: These needs are universal across humans. - Satisfaction of Needs: Individual differences exist in how these needs are satisfied, but the satisfaction itself is necessary for healthy motivation and optimal well-being.

Support vs. Control: Individuals actively seek environments that support autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Environments exist on a continuum from supportive to controlling.
Environmental Components of Needs Support: - Structure (Supports Competence): Relationships between behavior and outcomes are clear. Practitioners provide realistic expectations and positive informational feedback. - Autonomy (Supports Self-Determination): Practitioners provide choices, minimize pressure, and encourage individuals to initiate actions. - Involvement (Supports Relatedness): Characterized by empathic understanding, avoidance of criticism or blame, and showing genuine interest.

Target Fields: Rehabilitation, Physical Education, Coaching, and Fitness/Strength Training.
Autonomy Support Strategies (Reeve, 2003): - Listening to clients. - Facilitating interactive and client-driven sessions. - Avoiding directives. - Explaining and providing the rationale for decision-making choices. - Facilitating the client's ability for self-resolution. - Providing empathy to clients. - Being accepting of self-initiating mistakes.
Competence Support Strategies: - Focus on mastery climates and mastery goals. - TARGET: Ensuring there is a focus on matching the task to the client’s personal resources. - Modification: Adjusting activities to ensure a balance between success and challenge. - Establishing clear and realistic expectations.
Relatedness Support Strategies: - Avoiding social comparison among clients. - Promoting social interaction between clients. - Taking time to get to know clients personally. - Recognizing that it is a "two-way street" where clients should also get to know the practitioner.

The Process Flow: Need Support (Autonomy, Competence, Relatedness) $\rightarrow$ Need Satisfaction (Autonomy, Competence, Relatedness) $\rightarrow$ Motivation (Intrinsic, Integrated, Identified) $\rightarrow$ Autonomous Physical Activity.
Behavioral Benefits: - Increased exercise participation as shown by Chatzisarantis & Biddle (2001), Edmunds, Ntoumanis, & Duda (2006), Landry & Solmon (2004), and Silva et al. (2009). - Effective in both general populations and obese populations with a BMI range of $29 - 58$ . - Increases Objective MVPA (Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity) according to Sebire, Standage, & Vanteenkiste (2011).
Cognitive Benefits: - Positive attitudes toward Physical Activity (Wilson & Rodgers, 2004).
Affective Benefits: - Increased enjoyment and perceived control (Edmunds, Ntoumanis, & Duda, 2005; Chatzisarantis & Biddle, 2001).

The Key to SDT: It relies on the perceptions of the individual. Success is marked by moving the individual from feelings of "must do" or "should do" to feelings of "I want to do."
Exercise Adherence: The key to long-term exercise adherence may be rooted specifically in integrated and identified extrinsic regulation.
Theoretical Resource: For a comprehensive overview, published articles, and instruments used to measure SDT variables, visit selfdeterminationtheory.org.