Self-Determination Theory

Self-Determination Theory

References, Assumptions, Theory, Minitheories, Domains of Application

References that Provide an Overview of Self-Determination Theory

Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1987). The support of autonomy and the control of behavior.
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 53, 1024-1037.

Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic
motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55, 68-78.

Assumptions

1. Needs

Human needs constitute the subject matter of motivation study.

2. Three Needs

The three psychological needs of self-determination, competence, and relatedness explain most of the variance in terms of how needs motivate behavior and guide development.

3. These Needs Are Innate

These needs are innate (though not necessarily present at birth) and they reflect human nature.

3. Person-Environment Dialetic

The relationship between person and environment is a dialetic.

4. Types of Motivation

Different types of motivation exist, some types (EM) of which are antagonistic to other types (IM).

5. Primacy of Needs, 1

Emotions are mostly epiphenomenal to need states.

6. Primacy of Needs, 2

Need states provide the content for much of cognition, though needs are also deeply affected by cognitive evaluations of events related to those need states (see Cognitive Evaluation Theory).

7. Development Processes

Differentiation and integration guide healthy development.

Theory

1. Self-Determination Continuum (e.g., Figure 1 in Ryan & Deci, 2000).

2. Self-Determination as an innate need: Its experience; Its measurement.

3. Relationship between needs and behavior, development (needs -> behavior, development).

4. Relationship between external events and needs (external events -> needs).

5. Relationship between social contexts and needs (social contexts -> needs).

6. Relationship between personality dynamics and needs (personality -> needs).

MiniTheories

1. Cognitive Evaluation Theory

How external events affect psychological needs.

2. Engagement Model

How social contexts affect psychological needs.

3. Interpersonal Motivating Styles

How social interaction/relationships affect psychological needs.

4. Causality Orientations

How personality orientations affect psychological needs.

5. Developmental Model

Development progresses from heteronomy toward autonomy.