Introduction
Self-determination theory is a psychological theory that explores the concepts of motivation and personality, and what drives human beings to act. It focuses on the inherent human tendency to seek growth, primarily in the fulfillment of three needs, namely competence, autonomy, and connection. The concept of intrinsic motivation is one of the most important pillars of the theory. Self-determination can be defined as an individual’s ability to make choices and decisions that promote their psychological health and well-being. People are motivated to act when they consider their actions to be potentially significant toward the achievement of positive outcomes. The concept of self-determination is widely applied in various fields, including education, health, exercise, and health. Studies have shown that high self-determination is an important ingredient in the attainment of success in life.
Self-determination Theory
The theory was developed by two psychologists, namely Edward Deci and Richard Ryan. As mentioned earlier, this theory explores the human being’s intrinsic need for growth and the fulfillment of three needs, namely autonomy, connection, and competence (Pink, 2016, p. 54). It was based on the findings of their research on motivation and the forces that drive people to act. They developed a theory of motivation that suggested that growth and fulfillment are two of the main driving forces that underlie human action.
Motivations
Self-determination theory outlines two forms of motivation that drive people to act: intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation drives people to behave in certain ways for its own sake because it gives them satisfaction (Broeck, Ferris, Chang, and Rosen, 2016, p. 1195). This type of motivation is responsible for people’s tendencies to move toward growth. On the contrary, extrinsic motivation drives people to behave in certain ways for the sake of a reward or the attainment of an external goal (Pink, 2016, p. 62). For example, a student will spend free time studying to graduate at top of the class and get a scholarship. Unlike intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation does not fulfill the needs of autonomy, competence, and connection.
Key Assumptions
Self-determination theory has two major assumptions. First, the need for growth drives behavior (Ryan & Deci, 2017, p. 35). People usually act because they want to change and improve themselves. The development of a strong sense of self is based on the successful attainment of mastery over challenges and problems. Moreover, new experiences are important too. Second, autonomous motivation is important (Ryan & Deci, 2017, p. 35). In many cases, people are motivated to pursue goals by external forces such as monetary rewards, promotions, and commendations. However, the theory focuses on internal sources of motivation such as the need to acquire skills and gain knowledge.
Psychological Needs
According to the theory, several components/needs are needed for an individual to achieve well-being, internalization, and psychological growth. These include competence, connection, and autonomy (Broeck et al., 2016, p. 1197). To grow, people need to master certain tasks and acquire different skills. People who are confident in their skills are more likely to take action toward achieving certain goals than those who do not have the confidence. Human beings have been described as social animals. Therefore, they need to experience a sense of belonging and attachment for them to act in ways that promote their growth (Ryan & Deci, 2017, p. 38). It is necessary for individuals to feel in control of their own lives for them to act accordingly. This sense of being able to make individual decisions and take actions without external control is referred to as autonomy.
The fulfillment of one’s needs leads to higher forms of intrinsic motivation and the drive to achieve more. Moreover, it is associated with better mental health and well-being (Teson, 2016, p. 64). In that regard, the aforementioned psychological needs are the pillars of the theory. The feeling of psychological freedom constitutes autonomy, which makes people feel like they are in control of their actions (Teson, 2016, p. 65). Earlier research on motivation focused on the need for autonomy and how it played a negative role in the development of intrinsic motivation. The need for autonomy has been widely misunderstood in different fields. It does not mean total independence from other people’s desires. Rather, it means the need to make personal choices and act out of volition, even if the decisions involve complying with the wishes of others.
Conclusion
Self-determination theory explores the intrinsic drive that human beings have to grow and their need for autonomy, connection, and competence. These needs are necessary for the attainment of psychological well-being, internalization, and well-being. The theory is based on two assumptions, namely the need for growth drives behavior and autonomous motivation is important. Motivation can be either intrinsic (the need to master tasks) or extrinsic (the need to get recognition). The theory focuses on intrinsic motivation that drives people to behave for the improvement of their mental health and psychological well-being.
References
Broeck, A. V., Ferris, D. L., Chang, C-H., and Rosen, C. C. (2016). A review of self-determination theory’s basic psychological needs at work. Journal of Management, 42(5), 1195-1229.
Pink, T. (2016). Self-determination: The ethics of action, volume I. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2017). Self-determination theory: Basic psychological needs in motivation, development, and wellness. New York, NY: The Guilford Press.
Teson, F. R. (Ed). (2016). The Theory of self-determination. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.