Edward L. Deci, Richard M.

Ryan,
Self-Determination Theory,
Editor(s): James D. Wright,
International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences (Second Edition),
Elsevier,
2015,
Pages 486-491,
ISBN 9780080970875,
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-097086-8.26036-4.
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780080970868260364)
Abstract: Self-determination Theory (SDT) is a motivational theory of personality,
development, and social processes that examines how social contexts and individual
differences facilitate different types of motivation, especially autonomous
motivation and controlled motivation, and in turn predict learning, performance,
experience, and psychological health. SDT proposes that all human beings have three
basic psychological needs – the needs for competence, autonomy, and relatedness –
the satisfaction of which are essential nutrients for effective functioning and
wellness. Satisfaction of these basic needs promotes the optimal motivational
traits and states of autonomous motivation and intrinsic aspirations, which
facilitate psychological health and effective engagement with the world.
Keywords: Amotivation; Autonomous motivation; Autonomy; Autonomy support; Basic
psychological needs; Competence; Controlled motivation; Extrinsic aspirations;
Extrinsic motivation; Intrinsic aspirations; Intrinsic motivation; Need support;
Relatedness