Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being
This is the widely cited statement of self-determination theory for a general psychological audience, and the paper most people mean when they cite the theory itself. Its argument is that motivation differs in kind, not just in amount. Behaviour undertaken because it is interesting or valued operates differently from behaviour undertaken for a reward or under pressure, and only the first reliably supports persistence and wellbeing. Around that sits the account of three needs treated as basic: autonomy, the sense that action comes from oneself; competence, the sense of being effective; and relatedness, the sense of being connected to others. Conditions that support these needs produce better functioning, and controlling conditions undermine them even when they succeed in the short term. This is the origin of the vault's material on rewards displacing interest. This page describes the theory from public material, because no abstract of the paper is publicly available.
This is the widely cited statement of self-determination theory for a general psychological audience, and the paper most people mean when they cite the theory itself. Its argument is that motivation differs in kind, not just in amount. Behaviour undertaken because it is interesting or valued operates differently from behaviour undertaken for a reward or under pressure, and only the first reliably supports persistence and wellbeing. Around that sits the account of three needs treated as basic: autonomy, the sense that action comes from oneself; competence, the sense of being effective; and relatedness, the sense of being connected to others. Conditions that support these needs produce better functioning, and controlling conditions undermine them even when they succeed in the short term. This is the origin of the vault's material on rewards displacing interest. This page describes the theory from public material, because no abstract of the paper is publicly available.
Written from the public account of the theory this paper set out.
What our sources record
Reproduced as it was written when this source was checked, figures and all.
Ryan, R. M. & Deci, E. L. (2000). "Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being." American Psychologist, 55(1), 68-78.
Where we use it
- Nobody Is Born Consistent, Why We Move
- Somebody Notices When You Are Missing, Why We Move
Reliability of this reference
The link below was matched against the publisher's record on title, first author and year, and all three agree.
The source
https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066x.55.1.68
DOI: 10.1037/0003-066x.55.1.68