The Role of Psychological Need Satisfaction in Promoting Student Identification
Kenneth I. Mavor, Michael J. Platow, Boris Bizumic in Self and Social Identity in Educational Contexts, 2017
Self-determination theory (Deci and Ryan, 1985, 2000) is a theory of motivation based upon the notion that humans have a built-in propensity for autonomy, self-expression and self-determination. The theory outlines factors that allow individuals to meet their psychological needs. As noted above, individuals are assumed within self-determination theory to have three core needs: autonomy (freedom to choose), relatedness (closeness with others) and competence (demonstrated capability). When individuals’ psychological needs are met, they are more likely to internalise the behaviours, attitudes or ideas that are reinforced in the supportive social environment. That is, behaviours that allow a person to be autonomous, related and competent will be engaged in out of intrinsic interest and motivation rather than because of external reinforcements and constraints. So, too, environments that allow people to be autonomous, related and competent will foster intrinsic motivation to engage in tasks present in that context.
What is the self?
Tamara Ownsworth in Self-Identity after Brain Injury, 2014
A further contribution of Maslow's theory was the concept of ‘peak experience’, which involves intense focus and engagement in an activity to the extent that there is a loss or ‘transcendence’ of self. While absorbed in this activity, individuals feel a sense of completeness, unity and meaningfulness. This concept is similar to Csikszentmihalyi's (2000) notion of ‘fow’ which refers to complete absorption in an activity or merging of action and awareness, which can become the basis for a creative approach to life. Achieving a state of flow is an important concept in meditation and different schools of Zen Buddhism. Unlike many theorists who predominantly stress the importance of interpersonal relations, Maslow also recognised that sense of self is derived from occupational activities. His work influenced the development of more contemporary theories, including Self-Determination Theory (Ryan & Deci, 2001), which proposes that humans have an innate drive to fulfil their potential and overcome adversity. Maslow's views are consistent with the existential focus on ‘being’ and positive psychology principles of engagement and meaningfulness. The field and science of positive psychology is dedicated to understanding and building human strengths to support individuals and communities to thrive. Positive well-being entails satisfaction with the past, flow and happiness in the present, and optimism and growth in the future (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000).
Youth–Adult Relationships as Assets for Youth
Marc H. Bornstein in Psychological Insights for Understanding COVID-19 and Families, Parents, and Children, 2020
Susana Núñez Rodriguez studied autonomy and relatedness in Brazilian youth. At the time of this study, Brazil was experiencing strong economic growth combined with modest declines in income inequality and dramatically rising secondary school completion rates. Autonomy, competence, and relatedness are the three basic psychological needs identified in self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 1985, 2000). According to this theory, human behavior is driven by the quest for their fulfillment. The need for autonomy refers to the individual’s will and desire to organize experiences and carry out activities coherently within an integrated sense of self (Deci & Ryan, 2000). According to Chirkov (2007), individuals may choose experiences that allow them to fulfill their need for autonomy within a collectivist environment as well as an individualistic one. The need for relatedness is met when a person has satisfying relations with friends and family, feels accepted by and is accepting of others for who they truly are, and is able to establish and maintain close and committed intimate relationships (Kasser, Cohn, Kanner, & Ryan, 2007).
Experiences with public health recommendations for COVID-19: a qualitative study of diverse mothers with young children in the United States
Published in Journal of Communication in Healthcare, 2022
Katherine R. Arlinghaus, Derek Hersch, Dianne Neumark-Sztainer, Katie A. Loth
Self-determination theory is a behavioral theory that distinguishes between external and intrinsic motivation, with intrinsic motivation needed to sustain behavioral changes. An example of external motivation is the use of mask mandates to improve adherence to wearing masks. While this worked in public spaces and masks were normalized in these spaces, it is unlikely to promote the normalization of mask wearing in other spaces. For example one mother in this study remarked, ‘I go to the store, come back, and hurry up and take it [mask] off.’ For intrinsic motivation to sustain a behavior change, self-determination theory postulates that three innate psychological needs need to be satisfied: autonomy (feeling in control of one’s own behaviors), competence (feeling that one has the skills needed), and relatedness (feeling connected to others and a sense of belonging) [19,20]. Given the long-term persistence of the pandemic, it will be important that health communication efforts consider autonomy, competence, and relatedness to promote intrinsic motivation for adherence to recommendations to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Supporting Health for the Long Haul: a literature synthesis and proposed occupational therapy self-management virtual group intervention for return-to-work
Published in World Federation of Occupational Therapists Bulletin, 2023
Johanna Bardo, Jessica Asiello, Alix Sleight
Figure 1 is a conceptual model that illustrates the proposed theory of how these program ingredients will lead to improved participation in work tasks. Mechanisms of change are grounded in several theories that emerged during the preceding literature review process. The common sense model of self-regulation involves an approach to the management of chronic illness with a focus on how one initiates and maintains health and lifestyle choices and provides a framework for interventions that target behaviour change, action plan formation, and creation of routines (Leventhal et al., 2016). Self-determination theory is based on the understanding that autonomy, competence, and relatedness are key psychological needs. This theory can be applied appropriately to populations with chronic illness in the context of occupational performance in the workplace (Knox et al., 2021). Self-efficacy theory proposes that plan development, ability to revise plan when necessary, and the role of self-confidence in one’s ability to be adaptable in managing varied facets of one’s health are key to achievement (Walker et al., 2021). These frameworks overlap and can fluidly translate to one’s perception and management of their personal health in relation to their role in their workplace.
The rhythm of affect, autonomy, competence and relatedness: A pilot diary study
Published in Chronobiology International, 2021
Ingvild Saksvik-Lehouillier, Lisa Nordhaug, Stine Marie Owesen, Håvard R. Karlsen
There is not much research directed at other psychological variables and circadian rhythms, but motivational factors represent interesting possible variables. A basic assumption of self-determination theory is that human beings are motivated by three basic needs: Autonomy, competence, and relatedness (Deci and Ryan 2000). The need for autonomy implies that people have a universal urge to be causal agents and to experience volition (deCharms 1968). The need for competence concerns people’s inherent desire to be effective in dealing with the environment (White 1959), and the need for relatedness or belongingness reflects the universal propensity to interact with, be connected to, and experience caring for other people (Baumeister and Leary 1995). Satisfaction of basic needs is related to positive affect and well-being (Longo et al. 2016; Martela and Ryan 2016), and satisfaction with needs and positive affect are suggested to represent similar, but distinct, aspects of well-being (Martela et al. 2018). Frustration with autonomy, competence, and relatedness, on the other hand, predicts more negative health outcomes (Longo et al. 2016) and may share some similarities with negative affect, although these probably also represent different aspects of ill-being. Still, no previous research has investigated the rhythm of intrinsic motivation seen in autonomy, relatedness, and competence.
Related Knowledge Centers
- Autonomy
- Awareness
- Humanistic Psychology
- Internalization
- Mindfulness
- Motivation
- Locus of Control
- Self-Efficacy
- Locus of Control
- Reinforcement
- Motivational Interviewing