Self-determination refers to a person's ability to make choices and manage their own life. Being self-determined means that you feel in greater control, as opposed to being non-self-determined, which can leave you feeling that your life is controlled by others.
It states that people are motivated to grow and change by three innate (and universal) psychological needs. The concept of intrinsic motivation, or engaging in activities for the inherent reward of the behavior itself, plays an important role in this theory.
Self-determination is an important concept in psychology since it plays a role in psychological health and well-being. Promoting self-determination is also an emerging best practice when working with certain populations, such as individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Self-determination theory seeks to explain how being self-determined impacts motivation—that people feel more motivated to take action when they think that what they do will have an effect on the outcome. Learn more about how this theory works, as well as what you can do to improve your self-determination skills.
Self-determination theory suggests that people can become self-determined when their needs for competence, connection, and autonomy are fulfilled.
Self-determination theory grew out of the work of psychologists Edward Deci and Richard Ryan, who first introduced their ideas in their 1985 book Self-Determination and Intrinsic Motivation in Human Behavior. They developed a theory of motivation that suggests people tend to be driven by a need to grow and gain fulfillment.
Assumptions of Self-Determination
Self-determination theory makes two key assumptions:
The need for growth drives behavior. The first assumption of self-determination theory is that people are actively directed toward growth. Gaining mastery over challenges and taking in new experiences are essential for developing a cohesive sense of self.
Autonomous motivation is important. While people are often motivated to act by external rewards such as money, prizes, and acclaim (known asextrinsic motivation), self-determination theory focuses primarily on internal sources of motivation such as a need to gain knowledge or independence (intrinsic motivation).
Differences Between Extrinsic and Intrinsic Motivation
Components of Self-Determination
According to self-determination theory, people need to feel the following to achieve psychological growth:
- Autonomy:People need to feel in control of their own behaviors and goals. This sense of being able to take direct action that will result in real change plays a major part in helping people feel self-determined.
- Competence:People need to gain mastery of tasks and learn different skills. When people feel that they have the skills needed for success, they are more likely to take actions that will help them achieve their goals.
- Connection or relatedness:People need to experience a sense of belonging and attachment to other people.
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How Self-Determination Theory Works
It's important to realize that the psychological growth described by self-determination theory does not happen automatically. While people might be oriented toward such growth, it requires continualsustenance.
Ryan and Deci have suggested that the tendency to be either proactive or passive is largely influenced by the social conditions in which we are raised.Social support is key. Through our relationships and interactions with others, we can foster or thwart well-being and personal growth.
Other factors that also help or hinder the three elements needed for growth include:
- Extrinsic motivators can sometimes lower self-determination. According to Deci, giving peopleextrinsic rewardsfor intrinsically motivated behavior can undermine autonomy. As the behavior becomes increasingly controlled by external rewards, people begin to feel less in control of their behavior and intrinsic motivation is diminished.
- Positive feedback can boost self-determination. Deci also suggests that offering unexpected positive encouragement and feedback on a person's task performance can increase intrinsic motivation. This type of feedback helps people feel more competent, which is a key need for personal growth.
How Overjustification Reduces Intrinsic Motivation
Example of Self-Determination
Imagine a person who fails to complete an important project at work. If this person is high in self-determination, they will admit their fault, believe that they can do something to fix the problem, and take action to correct the mistake.
If that same person was low in self-determination, they might instead look for other things that they can blame. They might make excuses, assign blame elsewhere, or refuse to admit their own role in not completing the project on time.
Most importantly, perhaps, is that the person low in self-determination won't feel motivated to fix the mistake. Instead, they might feel helpless to control the situation and believe that nothing that they do will have any real effect.
Self-Determined vs. Non-Self-Determined Behaviors
Self-Determined Behaviors
Motivated by intrinsic rewards
Driven by enjoyment, interest, or satisfaction
Feel in control
Non-Self-Determined Behaviors
Motivated by extrinsic rewards
Driven by obligation or responsibility
Feel a lack of control
Rather than thinking of motivation as being driven by either extrinsic or intrinsic rewards, it is often helpful to view it as a continuum between self-determined and non-self-determined behaviors.
- On one end of the continuum are purely self-determined behaviors that tend to be intrinsically driven and done for the enjoyment of, interest in, and inherent satisfaction for the action itself.
- On the other end are non-self-determined behaviors, which are performed only because they must be done. There is a complete lack of control on this extreme end of the scale.
If you are training to compete in a marathon, for example, you might be extrinsically motivated by a desire to gain approval from others. At the same time, you may also be intrinsically motivated by the satisfaction you gain from the activity itself. In most cases, behaviors tend to lie in the middle of the continuum.
There is also often a varying amount of external motivation, which can fuel the degree of internal motivation. People may engage in actions because they feel they have some level of personal control and the behaviors ultimately align with something that is important for their self-concept.
Most actions are not purely self-determined or non-self-determined. Instead, actions often rely on a certain degree of self-determination that may also be influenced by extrinsic motivations.
Impact of Self-Determination
The concept of self-determination has been applied to a wide variety of areas including education, work, parenting, exercise, and health. Research suggests that having high self-determination can foster success in many different domains of life.
In the Workplace
People with self-determination feel more satisfied at work while also playing a key role in that organization's success. How can employers build self-determination in their workers?
- By allowing team members to take an active role
- Not overusing extrinsic rewards since this can undercut intrinsic motivation, a phenomenon known as the overjustification effect
- Offering employees greater responsibilities
- Offering support and encouragement
- Providing employees with meaningful feedback
In Competition
In competitive settings, such as sports and athletics, fostering a sense of self-determination can motivate people to excel. Some suggest that it works, at least in part, by increasing a person's level of mental toughness.
Athletes who feel that they are capable of achieving their goals and overcoming challenges are often driven to perform better. Excelling allows them to gain a sense of competence and build mastery in skills that are enjoyable and important to them.
Researchers have also found that people with an internal sense of control are more likely to stick to a healthy diet and regular exercise regimen.
In Social Settings
Self-determination can also play an important role in social relationships. For instance, when people are new to an online group, if their needs for autonomy, relatedness, and competence (the three components of self-determination) are fulfilled, it impacts their social identity which, in turn, affects their participation behaviors.
To forge close, affectionate relationships with others, thus potentially improving self-determination:
- Seek positive relationships with people who will support you in the pursuit of your goals.
- Offer support and feedback to people who are part of your social circle.
In School Settings
Self-determined students are more likely to feel motivated to achieve. They also tend to feel greater levels of competence and satisfaction. Educators can help students foster a sense of self-determination and intrinsic motivation by:
- Providing unexpected positive feedback when students perform well to help improve their feelings of competence
- Avoiding excessive external rewards for actions students already enjoy, which helps improve their internal motivation
Self-determination can play an important role in how people function in many different areas of their lives. Feeling in control and intrinsically motivated can help people feel more committed, passionate, interested, and satisfied with the things that they do.
Traits of Self-Determined People
If you are interested in strengthening your self-determination, it is helpful to think about what a highly self-determined individual might look like. People high in self-determination tend to:
- Believe that they have control over their own lives. Self-determined people have an internal locus of control and feel that their behaviors will have an influence on outcomes. When confronted with challenges, they feel that they can overcome them through diligence, good choices, and hard work.
- Have high self-motivation. Someone with high self-determination doesn't rely on external rewards or punishments to motivate them to take action. Instead, they engage in behaviors because they are motivated intrinsically. They have an internal desire to set goals and work toward them.
- Base their actions on their own goals and behaviors. In other words, people with self-motivation intentionally engage in actions that they know will bring them closer to their goals.
- Take responsibility for their behaviors. Highly self-determined people take credit for their success but they also accept the blame for their failures. They know that they are responsible for their actions and don't shift blame elsewhere.
How to Improve Your Self-Determination
Do you want to be more self-determined? There are a few steps you can take to improve your own self-determination skills.
Improve Your Self-Awareness
Self-awareness is associated with self-determination and can even help prepare you to make more purposeful decisions. Meditation, seeking regular feedback, and writing down your thoughts and feelings are all ways to improve self-awareness.
Engage in Self-Regulation
Developing a higher level of self-determination involves also working on your self-regulation skills. Strategies that can help you better regulate yourself include being more mindful of how you feel mentally and physically, along with practicing cognitive reframing to better regulate your emotional responses.
Find Social Support
Strong social relationships can foster motivation and well-being. Seek people who make you feel welcome and cared for. This may be a family member or friend, or it could be a member of your church, a counselor, or anyone else who provides a sense of support and belonging.
Gain Mastery
Becoming skilled in areas that are important to you can help build your sense of self-determination. Whether you have a strong interest in a hobby, sport, academic subject, or another area, learning as much as you can about it and improving your skills can help you feel more competent.
The more you learn and practice, the more skilled and self-determined you will likely feel.
A Word From Verywell
Self-determination theory can be helpful in understanding what might motivate your behaviors. Being self-determined, feeling like you have the autonomy and freedom to make choices that shape your destiny, is important for each person's well-being.
When you pursue things that are intrinsically motivated and aligned with your goals, you will feel happier and more capable of making good choices.
How to Improve Your Self-Control
FAQs
How was the theory of self-determination explain motivation? ›
Self-determination theory suggests that all humans have three basic psychological needs—autonomy, competence, and relatedness—that underlie growth and development. Autonomy refers to feeling one has choice and is willingly endorsing one's behavior.
What is an example of Self-Determination Theory of motivation? ›A child playing with toys for enjoyment. Exercising because you value the health benefits. Quitting smoking because you value living a longer life with your children. A child completing their chores because they understand the value of responsibility.
What is Self-Determination Theory and how might it motivate employees? ›According to self-determination theory, employees are motivated by both internal factors, such as creativity, sustained passion, and job satisfaction, and external factors, such as evaluations, rewards systems, or other people's validation.
What is Self-Determination Theory and motivation simply psychology? ›What is this? Self-determination theory focuses on the interplay between the extrinsic forces acting on persons and the intrinsic motive and needs of human beings. People can generally be motivated by outside factors such as money, acclaim, and fame, and this type of motivation is known as extrinsic .
What is an example of self-determination? ›It is about taking action in your life to get the things you want and need. For example, if someone says: "If you do this I'll give you a soda" even if you decide to do it you are not the person who took the action in the first place. Self determination is when you set things up to get what you want.
What was the idea of self-determination? ›During World War I, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson promoted the concept of "self-determination," meaning that a nation—a group of people with similar political ambitions—can seek to create its own independent government or state.
What is a good example of self motivation? ›To be specific, self-motivation is the internal drive that leads us to take action towards a goal. It keeps us moving forward, even when we don't want to. An example of this is when you're going for a run. You set a goal to run for 20 minutes, but at 15 minutes you're exhausted.
What is an example of self-determination in students? ›Doing extracurriculars – Many high school students take extracurricular activities to demonstrate their self-determination to prospective universities. By doing their extracurricular activities, they're showing that they are making intentional choices to get what they want out of life.
What is the self-determination theory of motivation quizlet? ›According to the self-determination theory, there is a big difference between engaging in an activity because of extrinsic reasons and engaging in the same activity for intrinsic reasons. When we are extrinsically motivated, we may not enjoy the activity as much, perform our best, or continue the behavior on our own.
What is student's motivation to learn based on self-determination theory? ›Self-Determination Theory argues that students need to feel these three components to become motivated: Autonomy – Feeling in control of their behaviours and goals. Competence – Believing that their actions will be impactful in shaping their academic success. Relatedness – Feeling a sense of belonging in class.
Why is motivation and determination important? ›
Provides guidance and motivation
It can also help you overcome challenges and continue to improve your work. For example, if you discover that it's difficult to achieve your sales goals, determination can help motivate you to explore new ways to achieve those goals and obtain leads.
Intrinsic motivation vs. extrinsic motivation. Inherent satisfaction, no separable outcomes - behavior that is performed for the inherent satisfaction of the activity.
What are three examples of self-determination skills? ›Skills typically include: choice/decision making, goal setting, problem solving, self-advocacy, and self-awareness.
What is the Self-Determination Theory quizlet? ›Self-Determination Theory. The theory by Edward Deci and Richard Ryan that states that people need autonomy, competence, and relatedness in order to feel intrinsic motivation. Extrinsically Motivated. Engaging in an activity due to reasons outside the activity itself.
What is a general example of motivation? ›The most common examples of motivation in daily life are driven by pleasure or pain. Pleasurable goals include survival, accomplishment, fun, taste, and curiosity. Motivation driven by pain may include fear of loss, rejection, fear of the unknown, uncertainty, failure, and change.
How do you show self motivation? ›- Set goals for yourself.
- Build a plan to achieve each goal.
- Create a reward system for yourself.
- Challenge yourself to learn new things.
- Surround yourself with other motivated people.
- Encourage yourself to think positively.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle.
- Push yourself outside your comfort zone.
Intrinsic motivation examples
participating in a sport because it's fun and you enjoy it rather than doing it to win an award. learning a new language because you like experiencing new things, not because your job requires it.
Self-determination means a person feels free, even if the person is also operating within certain external constraints. In principle, a student can experience self-determination even if the student must, for example, live within externally imposed rules of appropriate classroom behavior.
Who proposed self determination theory of motivation? ›Psychologists Richard Ryan, left and Edward Deci, developed the Self-Determination Theory (SDT) of motivation, which toppled the dominant belief that the best way to get human beings to perform tasks is to reinforce their behavior with rewards.
Why is self motivation important for students? ›The analysis also found that students who are self-motivated are more likely to do better in school and have a better overall sense of well-being. Finding self-motivation for students is a key element in their success and happiness at school.
What are the advantages of Self-Determination Theory? ›
The biggest advantage of Self-Determination Theory is the awareness that it provides. Once you realize how important competence, relatedness and autonomy are to motivation and performance, you can take steps to ensure that your needs are being met.
Is determination the key to motivation? ›“Desire is the key to motivation, but it's determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a commitment to excellence - that will enable you to attain the success you seek.”
Can you have determination without motivation? ›Determination is often demonstrated in athletic performance, but it's just as important with any goal, physical or not. It's the hard work that moves mountains, and it's irreplaceable. Determination picks up where the whiz-bang of motivation leaves off. But determination without motivation can feel empty.
What are the two types of motivation based on the self-determination theory? ›It posits that there are two main types of motivation—intrinsic and extrinsic—and that both are powerful forces in shaping who we are and how we behave (Deci & Ryan, 2008). It is a theory that grew out of researchers Edward L.
Which two processes are fundamental to self-determined motivation? ›Intrinsic motivation and fully integrated extrinsic motivation are the two bases for autonomous or self-determined behaviors. More than three decades of research have now shown that the quality of people's experience and performance vary as a function of the degree to which a behavior is autonomous or self-determined.
What are the types of motivation in self-determination continuum? ›Self-determination theory assumes that motivation lies on a continuum of self-determination with more self-determined, autonomous, and intrinsic motivation at one end and more controlled, extrinsic at the other (Deci and Ryan, 1987).
What is student's motivation to learn based on Self-Determination Theory? ›Self-Determination Theory argues that students need to feel these three components to become motivated: Autonomy – Feeling in control of their behaviours and goals. Competence – Believing that their actions will be impactful in shaping their academic success. Relatedness – Feeling a sense of belonging in class.
What are some examples of self-determination as a student? ›As was said earlier, some of the main self determination examples of skills include self-awareness, decision making, self-advocacy, problem-solving, and goal setting. Apart from this, there is also pride, assertiveness, and creativity.
What is an example of self motivation for students? ›Look at your failures as learning opportunities. Practice gratitude so you can be motivated by the good things in your life. Try to keep a positive attitude and practice positive thinking when you're discouraged. Reward yourself for your successes and forgive yourself for your failures.
What is the definition of self-determination for students? ›It means making your own choices, learning to effectively solve problems, and taking control and responsibility for one's life. Practicing self-determination also means one experiences the consequences of making choices.