What is the self-determination theory of motivation?

Self-Determination Theory (SDT) is a psychological framework for understanding human motivation developed by psychologists Edward Deci and Richard Ryan. It focuses on the degree to which an individual's behavior is self-motivated and self-determined. According to SDT, people are motivated to grow and change by three innate and universal psychological needs. These needs are:

1. Competence: This is the need to feel effective in one's interactions with the environment and to seek out and master challenges. When people feel competent, they are more likely to be motivated and engaged in activities.

2. Autonomy: This is the need to feel in control of one's own behavior and goals. Autonomy refers to acting with a sense of volition and having the experience of choice. This need emphasizes the importance of internal motivation, as opposed to being driven by external pressures or rewards.

3. Relatedness: This is the need to feel connected to others, to love and care, and to be loved and cared for. When people feel that they are connected to others and experience a sense of belonging, their motivation to engage in activities can increase.

SDT posits that when these three needs are met, individuals are more likely to be motivated from within (intrinsic motivation) and engage in activities for their own sake, rather than for some external reward or pressure (extrinsic motivation). The theory suggests that environments that support these three needs can foster greater motivation, performance, and well-being.

SDT also distinguishes between different types of motivation along a continuum. At one end is amotivation, or lack of motivation. As one moves along the continuum, there are different forms of extrinsic motivation, which are regulated by external factors. These range from external regulation (completely controlled by external rewards and punishments) to identified regulation (where the person has identified a personal value or importance in the action) and integrated regulation (where the action is fully assimilated with the individual's other values and needs).

Intrinsic motivation, which is associated with activities that are inherently satisfying and done for their own sake, is at the other end of the continuum. SDT suggests that the more self-determined or autonomous the form of motivation, the higher the quality of engagement, performance, and well-being.

SDT has been applied in various domains, including education, work, sports, health care, and psychotherapy, to understand and enhance motivation in individuals and groups. It provides a robust framework for designing social environments that foster healthy motivation, personal growth, and well-being.