Self-Determination Theory and Psychological Needs

Review from Last Class

  • Google Scholar

    • Importance of research interests in academia.

Psychological Needs

  • Categories of Needs:

    • Psychological Needs:

    • Autonomy

    • Competence

    • Relatedness

      • Originated from Self-Determination Theory by Deci & Ryan (2000).

    • Biological Needs:

    • Thirst

    • Hunger

    • Sexual needs (Sex)

    • Air (Breathing)

    • Sleep

  • Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs:

    • Hierarchical structure of needs; fulfilling basic biological needs lays the foundation for psychological needs.

Exploration of Mortality

  • What Happens When We Die?

    • Fear of Death:

    • Direct biological motives and symbolic defenses against mortality.

    • Impact on human behavior and societal constructs.

    • Awareness of Mortality:

    • Consideration leads to anxiety and awareness of self-preservation.

    • Cultural views on death (e.g., religions, sports team allegiance) might lead to in-group biases and materialistic values.

Self-Determination Theory (SDT)

  • Core Psychological Needs (Deci & Ryan, 2000):

    • Autonomy:

    • Need for self-direction and personal endorsement in behavior.

    • Feeling autonomous involves acting in accordance with one's own interests and preferences without feeling controlled.

    • Competence:

    • The psychological need to interact effectively with one’s environment.

    • Seeking optimal challenges and achieving mastery.

    • Relatedness:

    • Need to establish emotional bonds with others.

    • Satisfaction occurs through feelings of warmth, closeness, and care in relationships.

Autonomy

  • Influences on Autonomy:

    • The psychological need for autonomy shapes decision-making and personal growth.

    • Important factors include:

    • Providing choices and explanations.

    • Encouraging personal interests.

    • Employing patience and active listening to acknowledge and accept others' feelings.

Money and Happiness

  • Correlation Between Money and Happiness:

    • Statistical correlation of r = 0.62, indicating a curvilinear relationship.

    • Countries' wealth relates to citizens' happiness levels.

Competence

  • Experience of Competence:

    • People feel competent when successful outcomes match their actions within an environmental challenge.

    • Too easy tasks do not provide a sense of achievement.

  • Optimal Feedback:

    • Highlight positives, provide guidance and clear expectations, allow for failure, and give tasks matching the individual's skill level to foster competence.

Flow State

  • Characteristics of Flow:

    • Action-awareness merging

    • Concentration on tasks

    • Sense of control

    • Loss of self-consciousness

    • Transformation of time

    • Autotelic experience (doing an activity for its own sake).

Relatedness

  • Need for Relatedness:

    • Fulfillment occurs through emotional closeness and supportive relationships.

  • Active Listening Techniques:

    • Behaviors that satisfy relatedness needs include:

    • Being responsive to others.

    • Offering understanding and validation.

    • Demonstrating care for others' well-being.

    • Engaging others in activities and positive interactions.

Referencing Research

  • Referencing frameworks and findings:

    • Reis et al. (2000) underpins the examination of relatedness and interpersonal relationships within the context of psychological needs.