Module 4: Psychological Needs

Question 1

what is a psychological need?

Answer 1

a psychological nutrient that is critical to mental health, personal growth, and overall well-being

Question 2

what do psychological needs promote?

Answer 2

optimal performance

Question 3

what are the 5 basic criteria for defining a psychological need?

Answer 3

psychological
essential
inherent
distinct
universal

Question 4

what is the psychological component of a psychological need?

Answer 4

the need is not related to the physical function of humans

Question 5

what is the essential component of a psychological need?

Answer 5

satisfaction of the need leads to growth and well-being, and frustration leads to ill-being

Question 6

what is the inherent component of a psychological need?

Answer 6

the need is evolved and provides adaptive advantages

Question 7

what is the distinct component of a psychological need?

Answer 7

need is not contingent or derived from frustration of other needs

Question 8

what is the universal component of psychological needs?

Answer 8

the need is present/crucial regardless of personality, culture, etc.

Question 9

what is self-determination theory

Answer 9

states that three main components are required for psychological need satisfaction - autonomy, competence, and relatedness

states that psychological need satisfaction is related to intrinsic motivation

Question 10

what is need satisfaction contribute to

Answer 10

engagement
personal growth
intrinsic motivation
internalization
health
well-being

Question 11

what does need frustration involve

Answer 11

maladaptive behaviour, ill functioning, and passivity

Question 12

how do environments contribute to need

Answer 12

most offer a combination of supporting and thwarting needs

Question 13

what is autonomy

Answer 13

the psychological need to experience self-direction and personal endorsement in the initiation and regulation of one’s behaviour

Question 14

what are the main components of autonomy

Answer 14

volitional action/agency
self-endorsement/ownership

Question 15

when is autonomy experienced?

Answer 15

when decision-making processes when it comes to engaging in an activity is informed by out interests, preferences, desires, and values

involves self-concordance taking place

Question 16

what is self-concordance

Answer 16

involves goal-striving where the individual actually has an interest, or value with their goal

Question 17

what are examples of autonomy support

Answer 17

• perspective taking
• helping to clarify personal importance of choice
• providing explanatory rationales
• acknowledging and accepting expressions of negative affect
  -using invitational language
  -displaying patience

Question 18

what should a choice be ideally

Answer 18

not overwhelming, unconstrained, and meaningful

Question 19

what do choices based on personal values, goals, and interest lead to?

Answer 19

positive post-choice functioning (ie. intrinsic motivation, effort, creativity, preference for challenge, better performance, etc.)

Question 20

what are some possible reactions to autonomy frustration

Answer 20

reactance

learned helplessness

Question 21

what is competence

Answer 21

the psychological need to be effective in one’s interactions with the environment

involves extending one’s capabilities and skills

involves mastering challenges and personal growth opportunities

Question 22

when is competence experienced?

Answer 22

when one makes progress, improves, and produces intentional effects on the environment

Question 23

what is flow?

Answer 23

a subjective state where people feel completely absorbed and focused on a task

Question 24

when does flow arise?

Answer 24

when there is an optimal match between skill and activity challenge (ie. both are high)

Question 25

what are benefits of flow?

Answer 25

greater enjoyment and better performance

Question 26

what are some examples of competence support

Answer 26

• having structure
• clear expectation
• guidance (zone of proximal development and scaffolding)
• feedback

Question 27

what is scaffolding

Answer 27

a process that allows someone to achieve a goal/carry out a task outside of their zone of proximal development (unable to do without assistance)

Question 28

what does targeting optimal challenge involve

Answer 28

success can be just as likely as failure

Question 29

how to encourage people to pursue optimally challenging tasks

Answer 29

the environment must tolerate/value failure and errors

Question 30

why are errors constructive

Answer 30

-prompts people to identify causes/remedies
-prompts people to improve coping strategies
-prompts people to recognize need to advice/support

Question 31

what are some reactions to loss of competence

Answer 31

self-serving attributional bias

self-handicapping behaviour

Question 32

what is self-serving attributional bias

Answer 32

someone taking credit for positive events/outcomes, but blaming outside factors for negative events

Question 33

what is self-handicapping behaviour

Answer 33

involves engaging in behaviours that sabotage your chances of success

avoiding effort in hopes of keeping potential failure from hurting self-esteem

Question 34

what is relatedness

Answer 34

the psychological need to establish social connections with others

Question 35

what does relatedness involve

Answer 35

warm, close interactions and emotional bonds

to care and feel cared for by other people/organizations

Question 36

when is relatedness experienced

Answer 36

when one feels loved, valued, and appreciated by others

when authenticity, trust, reciprocity, and meaning are achieved

Question 37

what are the three main examples of relatedness support

Answer 37

• understanding (communicates authenticity)
• validation (communicates liking and acceptance)
• caring (communicates concern for one’s well-being)

Question 38

what are some benefits of relatedness satisfaction

Answer 38

• engagement
• personal growth
• intrinsic motivation
• internalization
• health
• well being